Red Herring

THE BUSINESS OF TECHNOLOGY

  • Startups
  • Mobile
  • Enterprise
  • Consumer
  • Social
  • Events

Alibaba Pays $2bn for Chinese E-Commerce Firm Kaola

September 6, 2019

Chinese tech giant Alibaba has acquired e-commerce site Kaola from compatriot NetEase for around $2 billion. Kaola, which sells imported goods in China, and competes with JD.com’s JD Worldwide, and Alibaba’s own TMall Global.

As part of the deal Kaola will receive a new executive from TMall, Alvin Liu—but it will continue operating as a separate brand, giving Alibaba a commanding share of the Chinese import e-commerce market. The country’s entire e-commerce sector is now worth just under $2tr, according to analyst eMarketer.

“With Kaola, we will further elevate import service and experience for Chinese consumers,” said Daniel Zhang, Alibaba CEO. Despite China’s massive e-commerce value, Zhang insists the country’s industry “remains in its infancy.”

Alibaba, whose market value is now $231bn, today launched an e-commerce venture in India via its UCWeb subsidiary. The 1.339-billion populated nation’s e-commerce market is expected to reach a value of $200bn by 2026—despite Indian economic growth plunging to 5%.

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Filed Under: Asia, Finance

Related Articles

  • China to Revamp Tech Oversight, Establish National Data Bureau 
  • Jack Ma to Cede Control of Ant Group 
  • Musk Sell Further $3.6bn Worth of Tesla Shares 

Widget Spacer

Top 100

The Red Herring Top 100 awards highlights the most exciting startups from Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Learn More

Upcoming Events

  • Top 100 Asia

  • Top 100 North America

  • Top 100 Europe

Widget Spacer

Guest Column

What is a Learning Management System?

Rouben David, of CourseForMe.com, outlines the features and benefits of

Widget Spacer

Subscribe

Subscribe now to get event news and updates delivered right to your inbox:

Widget Spacer

#DigitalHerring Tweet

My Tweets
  • About
  • Press & Media
  • Contact Us
Red Herring LinkedInRed Herring Facebook

Copyright © · Red Herring, Inc.

Copyright © 2025 · Red Herring Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in