Alibaba.com is attempting to both digitize and democratize global trade, and to dramatically expand it from large companies to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). They are starting to enable SMEs to act like MNCs in terms of cross-border transactions. They are developing tools such as a mobile app that lets you search for products globally, and a platform that provides logistics and delivery services.
Uncover the strategic vision of Alibaba.com as it forges ahead with its ambitious initiative to construct a massive global e-commerce platform. Delve into the strategic implications and future prospects in the first part of this captivating series by Jeff Towson, offering a unique perspective on Alibaba’s groundbreaking endeavors in the e-commerce landscape.
Alibaba’s Freshippo and Dingdong are two of the leading ecommerce grocery companies in China. They have achieved profitability by reducing costs and improving margins. Some of the strategies they have used include:
Opening physical stores that serve as fulfillment centers for online orders
Using data analytics to optimize inventory levels and pricing
Offering same-day delivery
The strategies that Freshippo and Dingdong have used can be applied to other ecommerce grocery markets around the world.
In Part 1, I laid out the basics of building a single platform business model. Or what BCG calls a “hyperscaler”. That is about getting the initial platform interactions going and going for growth, which is where the value is created. However, once the basic demand and supply picture are in place, you start thinking […]
Join Jeff Towson as he shares 4 critical lessons learned from his visit to JD’s E-Space, one of the most talked-about innovations in e-commerce. Understand what sets JD apart in terms of consumer experience, supply chain, and technology. Essential reading for CEOs and Executives who want to stay ahead of the curve in the fast-paced world of e-commerce.
In this captivating article, Jeffrey Towson delves into JD’s E-Space, a boundaryless retail strategy that integrates online and offline retail in China. Discover the potential implications and opportunities it presents for new retail, e-commerce, and online-merge-offline strategies. Dive into the exciting world of Chinese retail with Jeffrey Towson’s analysis and insights.
Years ago, I started mapping out the evolution of Alibaba with pictures. I was having a hard time keeping all the moving parts in mind. And I was becoming more and more convinced that digital company development is path dependent. What comes next depends on what just happened. Microsoft is only capable of its current […]
I keep an eye on the larger moves by Alibaba. Not the constant stream of announcements and endless initiatives but the larger strategic moves that I think will change the trajectory of the company. This usually means talking with management when I can and following the investor days. A couple of years ago, Maggie Wu […]
I wrote about Alibaba’s 5 growth strategies under “Domestic Consumption”. But CEO Daniel Zhang has also outlined 5 growth strategies for Alibaba Cloud. And their cloud business is what everyone has been speculating about. It’s the most exciting growth opportunity but it also has the greatest uncertainty. I’ve argued Alibaba is 100% in the platform […]
I’ve mentioned externalizing capabilities as a strategic move many times. I thought I would detail that out. It’s common strategy in digital business models. And it has been very effective at Alibaba and Amazon in particular. Several years ago, I summarized the evolution of Alibaba’s platform business models in 7 graphics. The Rise of Alibaba […]