Alibaba Launches Its First U.S. Retail Site
Alibaba, one of the biggest online retailers in the world, is preparing for an IPO that is set to be one of the largest ever. Ahead of the IPO, Alibaba has launched their first United States online retailer, 11 Main.
.Alibaba, one of the biggest online retailers in the world, is preparing for an IPO that is set to be one of the largest ever. Ahead of the IPO, Alibaba has launched their first United States online retailer, 11 Main.
The Wire spoke with 11 Main spokesperson Amanda Oey to learn more about the new retailer.
The Wire: What are some of the products you expect to be most popular on 11 Main?
11 Main features a unique selection of goods across a variety of categories, including Fashion & Style, Home & Outdoor, Jewelry & Watches, Baby & Kids, Collecting & Art, and Crafts, Hobbies & Toys.
The Wire: Who are some of the designers you will be working with?
11 Main works directly with the shop owners and merchants who participate in the 11 Main marketplace. Shop owners such as Erin Jane Designs, SuperMe, NV Blue take great care in designing their respective product lines. Each of those shop owners and merchants are then responsible for their own product portfolio.
The Wire: What's the price point?
11 Main has a wide range of products and our goal is to be your everyday shopping destination. Each shop owner within 11 Main has control of his/her own pricing and they vary depending on each individual merchant.
The Wire: Who do you believe your main competitor will be?
11 Main is designed to be a very different online shopping experience. We are an invitation-only marketplace focused more on a hand-selected collection of specialty shops and boutiques that represents the diversity of shops on Main Street. We’ve designed a shopping experience that celebrates the merchants that constitute our marketplace. There is definitely a Main Street America feel to 11 Main, and we let shoppers discover items and purchase from growing brands and businesses.
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So, there you have it. Go to their website, submit your email to request an invite and you can soon be shopping at China's biggest e-retailer. Right now, Alibaba accounts for 80 percent of e-commerce in China, grossing $248 billion last year.
This might explain why Amazon is being so harsh with their negotiations. They really have to pinch those pennies now that Alibaba is moving into their territory.