Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, is expanding globally with new services targeted at small businesses in the U.S. and Europe. Alibaba.com, its business-to-business platform selling to companies outside China, has introduced “Alibaba Guaranteed” to offer more certainty on delivery, payments, and dispute resolution. This move is part of Alibaba’s growing international business, which also serves consumers overseas through platforms like AliExpress. Small businesses purchasing from cross-border e-commerce platforms have lacked delivery tracking and return policies, given the complexities of international trade. The new service on Alibaba.com aims to provide buyers with definite delivery dates and free local returns, catering to the increasing trend of local businesses needing to buy globally to protect profit margins.
Alibaba.com predominantly sells products from China-based suppliers to small businesses in Europe, the U.S., and other regions. The platform allows for the purchase of single products or in bulk, but emphasizes that “suppliers prefer to do business with companies” on its user registration page. The number of buyers on Alibaba.com has tripled in the past five years, with an online gross merchandise value of around $50 billion, indicating substantial growth. In recent years, popular products on the platform have included equipment for custom printing T-shirts, laser cutting, and car parts, driven by increased demand due to supply chain diversification post-Covid-19 pandemic and growth in the new energy vehicle industry. Sports products have also been in demand in Europe, highlighting the diversity of products available on Alibaba.com.
Alibaba.com’s strategic investments in European business-to-business company Visable and its marketplace europages demonstrate its commitment to expanding in Europe and supporting the region’s digitalization efforts. The platform collaborates with many EU-based suppliers operating within the bloc, aiming to accelerate digitalization through technology adoption in business. Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, highlighted the significant trade activity within the EU and emphasized the potential for growth by incorporating artificial intelligence tools into the platform. These AI tools will enable merchants to generate product descriptions with search keywords efficiently and provide customer service support outside regular hours, enhancing the overall user experience on Alibaba.com.
The integration of artificial intelligence tools on Alibaba.com signals the company’s commitment to enhancing user experience and driving efficiency for merchants. By leveraging the power of AI, merchants can quickly generate optimized product descriptions and offer personalized customer service support, improving their operational efficiency and customer satisfaction levels. Alibaba.com’s investment in Visable and europages showcases the company’s dedication to expanding its global footprint and supporting digitalization efforts in Europe. With a focus on providing reliable services and expanding product offerings, Alibaba.com is well-positioned to cater to the growing demand for cross-border e-commerce among small businesses in the U.S. and Europe.
As Alibaba.com continues to scale its operations globally, the introduction of “Alibaba Guaranteed” signifies its commitment to providing a reliable and convenient platform for small businesses sourcing products from China-based suppliers. The emphasis on certainty in delivery, payments, and dispute resolution addresses the unique challenges faced by small businesses engaged in cross-border e-commerce, offering them greater peace of mind and assurance in their transactions. By investing in strategic partnerships and incorporating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, Alibaba.com is poised to further enhance the user experience and drive growth in international trade, benefiting both buyers and suppliers across the globe.
