Taobao Launches English Interface in S’pore With Auto Price Conversion

Shopee, Lazada and TikTok are likely holding an emergency meeting now.

Taobao, the most OG online shopping platform that focus on affordable China goods, has just unveiled an update that’s sure to make your shopping experience even more convenient (unless you have A1 in Chinese).

Say goodbye to the hassle of navigating the app in Chinese, because Taobao now offers an English-language interface tailored specifically for Singaporean users.

Taobao Listens to Its Singaporean Users

This update is a direct response to the long-standing demand from Taobao’s Singaporean user base.

By introducing an English option, the platform aims to make itself more accessible to non-Chinese speakers, eliminating the need for manual translations that some shoppers previously relied on.

Goodbye, Google Translate.

Singapore, along with Malaysia, is the first market to receive this localized feature, showcasing Taobao’s commitment to catering to the needs of its diverse user base.

So, what’s new in the English interface?

• Price Conversion: No more mental maths, because prices will now be displayed in Singapore Dollars (SGD) for easy reference.
• AI-Powered English Descriptions: Taobao’s AI technology will generate English product descriptions, making it simpler to understand what you’re buying. Now, if you’ve used AI to translate anything before, you’d know they’re usually much more accurate than Google Translate.
• Intuitive Interface: The new interface is tailored to local users’ preferences, ensuring a more user-friendly navigation experience.

Initially, the English interface will showcase a curated selection of trending products.

However, Taobao plans to gradually expand the range of items available, ensuring that users can enjoy the same variety and affordability found on the Chinese interface.

“We are thrilled to unveil an English interface of our app to introduce Taobao to a broader audience in Singapore. The launch is a direct response to the market demand, reflecting our commitment to improving convenience and accessibility for our users,” said Jean Zhao, Country Head of Taobao Singapore.

“As this is our first major initiative to serve English-speaking users, we are diligently monitoring user feedback and continuously refining the app interface to enhance the user experience based on customer insights.”

Exclusive Launch Promotions for Singapore Users

To celebrate this, Taobao is offering several exclusive benefits for Singapore users for a limited time:

• New User Vouchers: First-time orders on either the English or Chinese interface can enjoy up to RMB100 (about S$18) in vouchers.
• Free Shipping: Eligible products over RMB199 (around S$37) will come with free international shipping to Singapore.
• Free Return on First Order: Users can return eligible items to a local warehouse within 15 days of receiving them, with free return shipping on the first return.

How to Get Started with the English Interface

Ready to tao in English? Simply download the updated Taobao app from the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

Existing users can log in with their current credentials and access the English version by updating or downloading the latest app version.

All your account details, including order history and saved addresses, will seamlessly carry over to the English interface.

Now, of course, we’re all wondering: Would Temu come in soon?

If so, I think 120% of my monthly pay will be used to buy things that I never need.