Alibaba is on a mission to captivate European SMEs and the results speak for themselves. In just the past six months, the number of SME buyers from Germany has surged by an impressive 14 percent. Meanwhile, more and more British SMEs are turning to Alibaba.com as their go-to procurement platform.
As the annual March Expo comes to a close, Alibaba.com’s premier online trade show, the company is thrilled to report heightened demand from German and UK SMEs.
Achieving Efficiency and Savings
With a focus on streamlining procurement processes and driving cost-efficiency, SMEs are increasingly flocking to Alibaba. The challenges of macroeconomic pressures, supply chain disruptions, and supplier relationship hiccups are being met head-on.
In a bid to attain these goals, a growing number of German enterprises are leveraging Alibaba’s services. The current active SME buyer base is a remarkable 14 percent higher than it was in September 2023. While specific figures for German sellers are not disclosed.
Alibaba also notes a significant uptick in active B2B buyers from the UK at this year’s March Expo, as highlighted in a press release showcasing a “positive rise“.
Embracing Digital Procurement Channels
This surge in SME buyers underscores the larger trend towards digital procurement channels, a movement that Amazon in Europe is also capitalizing on. A recent ‘B2B Sentiment Survey’ by Alibaba reveals that 52% of German SMEs now make online purchases on B2B marketplaces, with the UK following closely at 51%.
Marketplaces are the preferred choice for most German and British SMEs.
Jijay Shen, General Manager for Alibaba.com in Europe, emphasizes the convenience of online B2B marketplaces in facilitating cross-border sourcing and opening up new avenues for businesses to explore, source products, manage supply chain risks, and boost margins effortlessly.
Expanding Reach in France
Not content to rest on its laurels, Alibaba.com has set its sights on the French market, the third largest eCommerce hub in Europe. Earlier this year, a strategic partnership was forged with government agency Business France to champion French SMEs.
