Macy’s, Inc. has announced it has formed a joint venture with Hong Kong–based Fung Retailing Limited to explore retailing in China.

The joint venture, which is 65 percent owned by Macy’s, will start with an e-commerce pilot. For Macy’s, the joint venture is expected to develop significant new lessons on customer preferences and buying patterns in China.

Under the joint venture, Macy’s plans to begin selling in China in late 2015 through an e-commerce presence on Alibaba Group’s Tmall Global, a marketplace that connects overseas branded retailers to Chinese consumers. To be based in Hong Kong and called Macy’s China Limited, the joint venture will curate a Macy’s online merchandise assortment especially for Chinese customers and fulfill Tmall Global orders from Hong Kong through local logistics channels, including LF Logistics, an affiliate of Fung Retailing.

“By making Macy’s accessible in China, we have an opportunity to deepen our relationship with domestic and international customers and to grow sales said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. “We have been closely following the development of the Chinese marketplace for many years and have learned that success requires that we have the right partners to help us navigate the unique needs and characteristics of consumers in China.”

“We believe that, through the joint venture, Macy’s online presence on Tmall Global will give us insight that will serve us well in evaluating future international initiatives,” added Peter Sachse, Macy’s, Inc. chief innovation and business development officer.

“The potential for growth is significant,” said Sabrina Fung, Fung Retailing’s executive director. “While the Chinese online consumer is already one of the savviest in the world, there are untapped spaces to fill. There is demand for the quality and variety of power brands and authentic products associated with the world-famous name of Macy’s.”

Macy’s China Limited will be led by Kent Anderson, who will serve as managing director. Anderson is a veteran Macy’s, Inc. executive and long-time president of macys.com. Sabrina Fung will represent Fung Retailing’s interest on the board of the joint venture company.

“As is always the case with Macy’s, we will test and learn as we progress and grow our business in China. We will take one step at a time,” Sachse said. “We intend to be a long-term player in this region of the world, and that requires we understand the customer so we can deliver an online shopping experience that Chinese shoppers will appreciate, value, and love.”

Macy’s began selling overseas into China and about 100 other countries with an edited assortment on macys.com in 2011. These goods are shipped to international customers from the United States. In the upcoming e-commerce test, Macy’s China Limited will ship to Chinese customers from inventories in Hong Kong, which is expected to improve speed, flexibility and pricing for the customer.

No physical Macy’s stores are planned for China at this time, but may be considered in the future based on the company’s experience in its e-commerce pilot.

Macy’s China Limited is expected to invest approximately $25 million in the operations of the joint venture over the next 18 months, of which Macy’s, Inc. will fund 65 percent.