Online sales agents face tougher times

Giants from world of e-commerce move on to individual traders' territory

Groups of Chinese students and housewives have been cashing in on the tremendous demand for international brands in China by taking up part-time jobs in the United States as agents facilitating the overseas purchases of goods online.

But they now face stronger competition as e-commerce giants like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and JD.com Inc increasingly switch their attention to this lucrative marketplace.