Xiaomi has announced through its Facebook page that its Mi.com sales portal will officially launch in the US and multiple European countries next week, with an introductory flash sale that requires pre-registration. Xiaomi’s business model is based around flash sales in order to avoid remaindered stock and are typically successful, with products sometimes selling out in seconds after launch.
While Xiaomi is not launching smartphones with the launch of its localized Mi.com portals, the hope is that the manufacturer can establish a foothold by selling accessories first before eventually selling its line of inexpensive and desirable smartphones in the West.
Xiaomi first began as an alternative Android ROM developer before shifting to smartphone sales in 2010 and its MIUI ROM has proven increasingly popular with users in China and Southeast Asia, as well as in the West through ROM flashing.
https://www.facebook.com/xiaomichina/posts/882932865075641