What makes Alibaba.com a dominant player in the B2B logistics space? There’s an entire list of reasons. But let’s unpack them one by one. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Sharon Gai is joined by Yikun Shao, the Head of Supply Chain for B2B North America at the Alibaba Group, to share insights into how Alibaba.com is revolutionizing the way small businesses approach global sourcing and logistics.
Table of Contents
The heartbeat of global trade
A new era of transparency and efficiency
The game changer
When sustainability meets innovation
The future of logistics
More about Yikun
The heartbeat of global trade
At its core, Alibaba.com is more than just a marketplace; it’s a global B2B powerhouse facilitating seamless trade across borders. With logistics services stretching to over 220 countries and regions through 26,000 global routes, the platform is a beacon for over 1.1 million buyers, managing an astonishing flow of more than 4 million packages annually. Going beyond simply moving boxes, Alibaba.com connects dreams, ambitions, and opportunities worldwide, making it the go-to destination for wholesale sourcing.
A new era of transparency and efficiency
Alibaba.com provides transparent sourcing costs, including logistics and real-time shipment tracking capabilities, enabling informed procurement decisions. The Deliver by Alibaba.com Logistics program and its logistics marketplace offer a transparent lens into sourcing costs coupled with real-time shipment tracking. This empowers businesses to make informed procurement decisions, ensuring timely and reliable delivery of ready-to-ship products while connecting them with plenty of vetted logistics providers for tailor-made shipping solutions.
The game changer
We’re talking about AI. Alibaba.com doesn’t shy away from leveraging the technology to supercharge the operational efficiency and growth prospects of small businesses. For example, The Smart Assistant is transforming global sourcing with features like advanced image search, predictive sentence realization, and enhanced customer support.
Additionally, Alibaba.com has implemented AI initiatives that go beyond just simplifying sourcing. The platform has incorporated generative AI capabilities, similar to those used in advanced tools like DALL-E, allowing customers to generate product images based on typed instructions, which can be used in Request for Quotations (RFQs) or product searches on the platform.
When sustainability meets innovation
Beyond another buzzword, sustainability became a critical decision-making factor for businesses and consumers. Yikun highlights how Alibaba.com is leading by example, prioritizing the transformation of its supply chain to meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly practices and transparency. As a result, customers can find affordable and personalized logistics solutions while managing high costs and delivery uncertainties.
“We certainly recognize the increasing importance of sustainability in the modern business landscape. And we are actively prioritizing the transformation of our supply chain to meet these demands. So, in practice, we fulfill our sustainability commitments by placing a strong emphasis on the sustainability practices of sellers.”
The future of logistics
Automation, AI, data analytics, and a firm commitment to sustainability are all part of the future. Don’t look way ahead; this future is already here. Customers are already searching for more personalized B2B logistics solutions and collaborative logistics networks, which also promise to reduce shipping costs and optimize transportation routes.
More about Yikun
Yikun Shao is the Head of Supply Chain for B2B North America at the Alibaba Group. He stands out in the field of global trade and logistics innovation, bringing nearly two decades of industry experience to his role as Head of Supply Chain for Alibaba.com’s North American B2B business. Before his current role, Yikun spent over 15 years gaining expertise in global trade and business consulting with PwC across China, Japan, and the United States. His primary skills lie in international business development, strategic planning, customs, and trade, as well as supply chain planning and logistics management.
