Alibaba Chinese company Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alibaba Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alibaba Written by Allie Grace Garnett Allie Grace Garnett is a content marketing professional with a lifelong passion for the written word. She is a Harvard Business School graduate with a professional background in investment finance and... Allie Grace Garnett Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep 10, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Alibaba is a Chinese multinational conglomerate that operates across e-commerce, cloud computing, digital media, and financial technology (“fintech”). Headquartered in Hangzhou, China, Alibaba is probably best known for its e-commerce activities that span various online marketplaces including Alibaba.com, AliExpress.com, Taobao, and Tmall. Alibaba’s business model bypasses traditional retailer functions like holding inventory and managing logistics. Instead, the company focuses on coordinating all the functions associated with retail into a massive, data-driven network of manufacturers, sellers, marketers, and other service providers. Alibaba got its start in 1999 as one of the first e-commerce platforms. Founded by Jack Ma in Hangzhou, Alibaba ...(100 of 896 words)

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