Taobao Global announced at a press conference in Hong Kong on Saturday that it plans to recruit more overseas shoppers who can bring new, niche brands to Chinese consumers.

The e-commerce platform already employs 20,000 overseas buyers — covering more than 70 countries and regions — but hopes to grow that number to 50,000. The company is seeking applicants who live outside the Chinese mainland and have strong product knowledge and awareness of lifestyle trends.

Overseas shoppers, or daigou, are an established profession in China. Consumers seek out their services for everything from luxury bags to medication because of import taxes and product availability issues at home, while e-commerce platforms like Taobao, JD.com and Vipshop enlist them to offer personalized cross-border shopping. (Image: IC)