JD.com launches gifting feature to compete with Alibaba, Tencent ahead of Lunar New Year

JD.com launches gifting feature to compete with Alibaba, Tencent ahead of Lunar New Year

Chinese e-commerce platform operator JD.com on Friday introduced a gifting feature on its mobile app, joining rival Alibaba Group Holding in countering the competitive pressure from social media giant Tencent Holdings, which launched a similar feature last month. When browsing a selection of eligible merchandise, JD.com app users will see a button labelled “Gifting IT.” … Read more

E-commerce giants jump on China’s latest trade-in programme amid heated competition

E-commerce giants jump on China’s latest trade-in programme amid heated competition

China’s major e-commerce companies, from JD.com to Alibaba Group Holding, are rushing to take advantage of Beijing’s latest subsidies aimed at spurring consumer spending at the start of the year. Tmall, Alibaba’s premium shopping site carrying mainly established brands, on Wednesday kicked off new subsidies for shoppers buying home appliances. Rival JD.com on the same … Read more

China’s tax agency cracks down on influencers, online merchants amid shrinking revenue

China’s tax agency cracks down on influencers, online merchants amid shrinking revenue

China’s tax authority on Friday published a draft regulation that would require the operators of e-commerce, short-video and social media platforms to report the income of merchants and influencers. Under the current draft, which is soliciting public feedback until January 19, internet platform operators must report the identity, income and other tax-related information about revenue-generating … Read more

Alibaba to sponsor Lunar Year Spring Festival Gala to reach China’s thrifty consumers

Alibaba to sponsor Lunar Year Spring Festival Gala to reach China’s thrifty consumers

Alibaba Group Holding has won the sponsorship for the 2025 Spring Festival Gala show, China’s most-watched event of the year, as the e-commerce giant reaches out to consumers to regain growth momentum. The Hangzhou-based company signed a deal with China Media Group (CMG), which owns state broadcaster China Central Television, to be the “exclusive e-commerce … Read more

Alibaba sellers are getting a sweeter deal this Singles’ Day as new policies bear fruit

Alibaba sellers are getting a sweeter deal this Singles’ Day as new policies bear fruit

When Alibaba Group Holding held its eleventh Singles’ Day shopping festival in 2019, it culminated in Shanghai that November with a performance by American pop sensation Taylor Swift to help get consumers in a cheerful mood. Five years later, China’s largest e-commerce company decided a party for the world’s largest online shopping festival was no … Read more

China takes down fake news about its military, closes social media accounts

China takes down fake news about its military, closes social media accounts

Chinese internet regulators are removing social media accounts that use fake information to hype the country’s military strength, including false reports of “cyberwarfare” in the South China Sea. A sample post from June on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, read: “Breaking news: China and the US engaged in 12 hours of cyber warfare, causing Luzon … Read more

Alibaba sees double-digit sales growth for Singles’ Day in Hong Kong

Alibaba sees double-digit sales growth for Singles’ Day in Hong Kong

The Hangzhou-based e-commerce powerhouse on October 1 started a three-month promotion to waive delivery fees for certain Taobao orders that cost more than 99 yuan, covering categories such as fashion accessories, electronics, skincare and cosmetic products. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. Taobao, mainland China’s largest online shopping platform, has so far achieved double-digit, … Read more

Alibaba, JD.com, Pinduoduo launch campaigns for Singles’ Day shopping festival on same day

Alibaba, JD.com, Pinduoduo launch campaigns for Singles’ Day shopping festival on same day

Taobao and Tmall Group, Alibaba’s domestic e-commerce business unit, launched at 8pm on Monday the presale stage of its promotion for Singles’ Day – also known as 11.11 or Double 11, referring to the shopping extravaganza originally observed on November 11 – as the company anticipates a record-high volume of users taking part in this … Read more

Alibaba pushes back on excessive ‘refund without return’ requests to protect merchants

Alibaba pushes back on excessive ‘refund without return’ requests to protect merchants

Alibaba Group Holding’s main e-commerce unit has rejected an average of over 400,000 refund requests from consumers per day in the past two months, according to data from Taobao and Tmall Group (TTG), in a pivot to balance the interests of merchants and consumers. The practice of “refund without return” has gained popularity thanks to … Read more

Alibaba sets US$142 million promotion to waive delivery fees for Hong Kong’s Taobao users

Alibaba sets US2 million promotion to waive delivery fees for Hong Kong’s Taobao users

Alibaba Group Holding has earmarked 1 billion yuan (US$142 million) to waive delivery charges on Taobao users in Hong Kong for each order that costs more than 99 yuan during this fourth quarter. The three-month campaign covers categories such as fashion accessories, electronics, skincare and cosmetic products on Taobao, according to Alibaba, owner of the … Read more