Alibaba have launched the ‘Taobao Global US Merchants Network’ to offer small businesses a way to reach more than half a billion consumers on the Chinese e-commerce giant’s platforms.
The aim of the network is matchmaking – connecting US small businesses with merchants and distributors on Alibaba’s Taobao Global shopping site. Partnering with Taobao Global gives small businesses in the States a simple, low-risk, low-cost solution to enter the China market and build a brand presence.
This is a really interesting proposition, selling on TMall and Taobao has been almost impossible for most small businesses due to the complexity of trading in China with the associated high customer support requirements coupled with the high cost of entry. This new programme aims to cut the complexity and cost by turning US small businesses into suppliers to merchants already establish on Alibaba’s platforms – essentially they become wholesalers.
“Alibaba created the Taobao Global U.S. Merchants Network to strengthen the connections between U.S. small businesses and Chinese consumers. The merchants who join this network are experts on Chinese consumers and are continually seeking new, unique American products for the millions of Chinese consumers they reach on Taobao. Being a part of this network will enable these merchants to more efficiently identify and work with U.S. small businesses to bring their products to Chinese consumers.”
– Alibaba President Michael Evans in a statement
The network launches with over 300 US-based Taobao Global merchant members. An onsite matchmaking event at last month’s Gateway ’17 conference in Detroit connected 60 U.S. small businesses with 45 Taobao Global merchants. The network also held events in New York and Los Angeles in late June, attracting nearly 200 Taobao Global merchants and US small businesses.
