Alibaba has announced it will open up its Alibaba.com platform, a global, online business-to-business marketplace, to US sellers for the first time.
Previously, US businesses could only buy goods on the platform as it was originally launched to connect suppliers in China with overseas buyers. This new programme will now allow small and medium-sized (SMB) US business to reach more markets.
“Alibaba aims to empower entrepreneurs and help them succeed on their own terms,” John Caplan, head of North America B2B at Alibaba Group, told Alizila.
“With 10m active business buyers in over 190 countries and regions, we are reshaping B2B commerce by providing the tools and services needed for US SMB companies to compete and succeed in today’s global marketplace.”
Robinson Fresh, the produce division of logistics company C H Robinson, was announced as one of the platform’s first sellers when it launched its store on 23 June. It is also considered one of the platform’s ‘anchor sellers’.
Alibaba.com said the name recognition and product inventories of the ‘anchor sellers’ are designed to bring increased in traffic to the site, which in turn should serve to drive traffic to smaller sellers.
To help link more US sellers to the platform, Alibaba.com is launching a tour of educational and networking events supported by US business organisations
This includes events supported by Food Export USA – Northeast and the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.
