Alibaba e-commerce platforms a key channel for European businesses to sell into China, study says

The e-commerce platforms run by Alibaba Group Holding have become an important channel for European firms to sell goods overseas, according to a new study, as Chinese online shopping giants continue to invest in international expansion.

Exports from 27 European countries via Alibaba’s platforms totalled about €32.3 billion (US$34.6 billion) last year, a third higher than in 2019, according to a study by Italy’s SDA Bocconi School of Management. Between 2019 and 2022, companies in those countries exported €121.4 billion worth of goods to Chinese consumers via the Alibaba platforms, according to the study, which was commissioned by Alibaba.

The export activity contributed a combined €57.9 billion to the gross domestic product of Germany, France, Italy and Spain over the same four years, the study estimated.

“Alibaba helps European companies, of all sizes, sell to customers in international markets, protecting European jobs and growing the European economy,” said Eric Pelletier, Alibaba’s vice-president and head of international government relations.

Hangzhou-based Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.

Alibaba is facing fierce competition both in the domestic and international market. PDD Holding, which is some 16 years younger than Alibaba, reported strong revenue growth in the latest quarter on the back of its international e-commerce platform Temu, which has expanded quickly across the world.

Europe has been an important market for Alibaba’s international business. AliExpress, a retail platform launched in 2010 that offers products for international buyers, is targeting Europe and South Korea for growth. Earlier this year, AliExpress launched a new service which will provide nine-day delivery times for European customers.