Xavier Kong · · 1 min readAlibaba shutters HK online retail platform channel
Alibaba will shut down the Tmall Hong Kong, the localized arm of its online retail platform Taobao, on October 31st, TechNode reported.
The last order date for consumers has been set to August 21, with the last delivery date for merchants set to August 26, reported Caixin.
Citing “business strategy adjustments”, Alibaba said it will continue to provide payment and delivery services in Hong Kong via its customer-to-customer arm Taobao Marketplace.
According to industry information, the ecommerce giant will instead focus on its Taobao platform as the main platform for its Hong Kong market, with plans to step up its logistics service, customer support, and operational capability. This includes working with Alibaba’s logistics arm Cainiao to offer a pilot express delivery service from mainland China to Hong Kong.
Tmall’s Hong Kong arm, which sold goods from major Chinese and global brands along with fresh produce, was launched in May 2021.
The closure comes after Alibaba’s shares on the Hong Kong Exchange fell 5.7% following a report that executives in its cloud unit were questioned by Chinese authorities over personal data theft. The Chinese ecommerce giant is also reportedly planning to lay off over 30% of its internal investment team – the latest in its ongoing staff dismissals since February.
See also: Alibaba’s financial health in 5 charts
Editing by Miguel Cordon and Arpit Nayak
(And yes, we’re serious about ethics and transparency. More information here.)
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
