West Chester-based QVC, which brings video and ecommerce shopping into 300 million homes in the U.S., Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and China – is now expanding into France.

QVC plans to launch its new service there during the second quarter of 2015.

“As the second largest economy in the European Union, with a robust ecommerce sector and solid digital infrastructure, France offers a strong opportunity for QVC,” said Mike George, president and chief executive officer of QVC. “Over 27 years, QVC has become the world’s largest video and ecommerce retailer, changing the way the world shops by reimagining shopping, entertainment and social as one. We believe this, in addition to QVC’s stellar customer service, will hold great appeal for French shoppers.”

QVC is working closely with Invest in France Agency, the national agency responsible for promoting and facilitating international investment in France, and the Paris Region Economic Development Agency (PREDA) as it prepares to market thousands of home and beauty products in France.

PREDA is upbeat about the launch, which QVC anticipates will create 200 jobs within the first two years.

“QVC’s decision to locate its operations in the Paris region is testament to the fact that we are a growing center of excellence, specifically in the technology, broadcast and online fields,” said Sabine Enjalbert, PREDA managing director. “We look forward to their entrance, creation of jobs and contributions to France.”

Bloomburg News, reporting on the launch, says retail sales in France have more than tripled in the past two years despite political turmoil and a shrinking economy: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-16/qvc-to-expand-in-france-undaunted-by-soft-economy.html

French-language video and ecommerce content will be produced in France by a local team and will be available online, on mobile devices (including iPad®, iPhone®, Android Smartphones and Android Tablets) and on major satellite TV, cable TV and IPTV services in France.

QVC plans to create opportunities for inventors, entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes. The company plans to offer a wide range of French and international brands as it opens this new marketplace for French shoppers.

“France has made some bold and innovative changes to its digital infrastructure and strategy in recent years and we believe this provides a great opportunity for QVC to enter the market with a multiplatform offering,” said Steve Hofmann, chief executive officer for QVC Europe. “We believe French customers will enjoy QVC’s fresh content, premiere-branded products and award-winning, world-class customer service. Our goal is to build long-term relationships of trust and confidence with all of our audiences – employees, suppliers and customers in France.”

QVC says it is the second largest mobile commerce player among all multi-category retailers, behind only Amazon.com.