China's C2C market surged to RMB8.77 billion ($1.09 billion) in the first nine months of 2005, almost double turnover for all of 2004. According to Analysys International, subscriber numbers have likewise doubled in the same period from 15.08 million at the end of 2004 to 29.84 million nine months later. Homegrown Taobao.com, while trailing behind eBay in terms of subscribers, leads in terms of transaction value, with total turnover at RMB5.01 billion ($620.96 million) or a 57.1% share of the market, in the first three quarters of 2005. Analysys says Taobao.com will likely overtake eBay's subscriber base within the first half of 2006, particularly with its strategy of offering free services to subscribers.
Quarterly Tracker on China's C2C Market 2005-Q3
www.analysys.com.cn