PChome

In the mid-90s, as Taiwan was on the cusp of the internet boom, a media veteran named Jan Hung-Tze started a computer magazine called PC home. The publication's goal was simple: make computers easy to understand for the average person. This venture into explaining technology to the masses laid the groundwork for something much bigger. In 1998, the website department of the magazine was spun off into a separate company, PChome Online Inc. Initially a portal, the company saw the immense potential of the internet and, in 2000, pivoted to e-commerce, launching PChome Online Shopping. The company quickly established itself as a leader in Taiwan's nascent online retail market, with a strong focus on 3C products (computers, communication, and consumer electronics). A key turning point came in 2007 when PChome introduced a groundbreaking service in Taiwan: 24-hour delivery. This move set a new standard for e-commerce in the region and solidified its dominance. The company's growth and vision culminated in a significant milestone: in January 2005, PChome Online Inc. went public, becoming the first internet company to be listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Following its IPO, PChome continued to innovate and expand. It entered a joint venture with eBay to create the auction site Ruten and launched its own third-party payment service, PChomePay. The company expanded its logistics network to maintain its delivery promise and even ventured into international markets. However, the rise of new, aggressive competitors presented significant challenges, impacting PChome's market share and growth. In response, the company has undertaken strategic shifts, including bringing in new leadership and securing a major investment from Uni-President Enterprises Corp. in late 2024 to bolster its position in the competitive landscape.