This month is World Trade Month, a time to reflect on how important exports can be to so many US businesses. Last year, American businesses made sales of more than $54 billion to Chinese consumers through Alibaba’s platforms. We firmly believe that brands large and small can succeed on a global scale and connect with new consumers using the power of advanced digital tools for e-commerce.

The pandemic accelerated the shift away from physical stores to digital shopping by roughly five years, according to new data from IBM’s U.S. Retail Index. The legacy of the pandemic for the retail sector will be digitization and we have been very focused on supporting brands, retailers and small businesses to enhance their digital strategies.‍

Stride Rite, the 102-year-old iconic children’s shoe brand, is a great example. We worked with the company to launch an online flagship store for Chinese consumers last November. They are not only selling shoes, but gaining important insights allowing them to adjust their product selection to better meet their consumers’ needs. In June, I’ll be discussing the importance of a digital and global strategy and other exciting trends with fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg at the National Retail Federation’s Converge Conference. DVF has achieved enormous success on Alibaba’s platforms.

With the continuous evolution of digital selling opportunities, these are exciting times for U.S. brands and small businesses looking to reach new customers. We are excited to help more U.S. businesses pursue their digital transformations and are proud to be a part of their success.

Sincerely,
Michael Evans, President and Director, Alibaba Group