Aliababa Group’s business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce marketplace Alibaba.com has launched a string of new tools for small- and medium-sized digitally native businesses. The new services cover inventory management, logistics, fulfillment and finding new products.
The new dropshipping solution allows businesses to sell products online without maintaining inventory or taking care of the order shipments. A dropship supplier handles production, packaging and shipping. The aim to help small businesses eliminate inventory over-head and test new products before making larger orders.
Additionally, with a new Alibaba.com app available on the Shopify App Store and a WooCommerce extension, online retailers can add new products to their retail stores for free.
The B2B e-commerce marketplace has also partnered with dropshipping partners, including Modalyst, Spocket and Syncee, among others, to provide access to more suppliers, products and shipping for some 10 storefront platforms.
Another tool is live video chats and on-demand videos to help businesses hear directly from suppliers and manufacturers about their facilities and products. Additionally, the Alibaba.com Virtual Reality (VR) Showroom lets buyers experience showrooms and assembly lines through virtual reality.
The platform has also introduced upgraded logistics services to ease the current supply chain issues and shipping delays. The new On-Time Delivery Services features a selection of 19 million ready-to-ship products combined with preferred trade route recommendations based on global logistics big data.