Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce and part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, today announced the official launch of Alibaba Guaranteed to simplify global sourcing and provide a more flexible and reliable supply chain for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the U.S. and beyond.
Alibaba.com now serves over 48 million SME buyers, with more than 200,000 suppliers on its platform worldwide.
Through Alibaba Guaranteed, buyers will gain added confidence in sourcing, as the service offers products at fixed prices with shipping fees included, promises dispatch of goods within 72 hours, and guarantees delivery by the expected date.
Buyers can also benefit from after-sales services such as quick refunds for order issues and free local returns for defective items.
Products sourced through this new solution will be fulfilled by Alibaba.com, ensuring order security for buyers. The platform also manages finance aspects like escrow and payment terms, as well as after-sales services, enabling buyers to focus more on their products.
“Alibaba Guaranteed marks an exciting new chapter for SMEs and global sourcing as it will help to redefine the fulfillment standard of B2B cross-border trade,” said Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com.
“Global sourcing can be a complex process with many moving parts, but Alibaba Guaranteed can help SMEs go through it with greater ease.
With much of the leg work being done for SMEs by the platform, cross-border trade can be as simple as purchasing a pair of shoes from your favorite retailer online.”
This offering comes at a time when SMEs are increasingly seeking online sourcing solutions. In fact, a recent Alibaba.com survey revealed that two-thirds (66%) of SMEs plan to increase their reliance on online global sourcing in 2024.
However, delivery time, logistics costs, and concerns about not receiving products emerged as the top three main challenges for engaging in cross-border sourcing, with up to 22% of respondents ranking them as their top concerns. Alibaba Guaranteed was developed to address these concerns.
Alibaba.com remains dedicated to innovating in the sourcing and supply chain spaces to help SMEs expand and gain greater footing on the global e-commerce stage.
Alibaba Guaranteed with fulfillment by Alibaba.com represents the latest upgrade in its ongoing support for businesses in the U.S. and across the globe.
