Alibaba takes control of logistics business, pledges US$15b to expand network


Alibaba-backed Chinese food delivery firm Ele.me will take over the food delivery unit of search engine giant Baidu.

HONG KONG: Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba Group announced it will invest 100 billion yuan (US$15.12 billion) over five years to build a global logistics network and also take control of a US$20 billion unit, underpinning an aggressive overseas expansion.

Alibaba is investing 5.3 billion yuan in Cainiao Smart Logistics Network to boost its stake to 51% from 47%. The investment would value Cainiao, a joint venture of top Chinese logistics firms, at around US$20 billion.

“Our commitment to Cainiao and additional investment in logistics demonstrate Alibaba’s commitment to building the most-efficient logistic network in China and around the world,” Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang said in a statement on Tuesday.

The announcement comes as Alibaba is rapidly expanding its e-commerce and logistics network abroad, including newly announced direct sales channels in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, facilitated by a US$2 billion investment in South-East Asian online retailer Lazada Group.

Alibaba’s latest investment in Cainiao also signals its intention to boost control over the domestic warehousing and delivery market, which has become increasingly competitive as firms seek to capitalise on logistics data assets.

In June top logistics firm SF Holding Co cut ties with the Cainiao coalition, which provides logistics support directly to Alibaba’s top e-commerce platform Taobao, claiming Alibaba had requested data unrelated to the existing partnership agreement.

Alibaba denied the claims.

Alibaba said on Tuesday the US$15 billion investment will be used to develop its data technology and improve its warehousing and delivery development.

Alibaba subscribed to new shares of Cainiao to boost its stake to a majority, according to a person close to the e-commerce firm. Alibaba will gain a new board seat in Cainiao, and will represent four out of a total seven seats.

Despite attracting billions of dollars from equity investors, Chinese logistic firms haven’t fared well in recent public listings.

Shares in ZTO Express Inc, which raised US$1.4 billion from its New York IPO last October in the largest US offering by any Chinese company since Alibaba in 2014, are down 22% from the listing price.

And Best Inc, a Chinese delivery firm backed by Alibaba, raised US$450 million in a US IPO last week, nearly half of what it had initially intended to raise.

Cainiao is not currently considering any IPO, the person said.

Alibaba did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Alibaba co-founded Cainiao in 2013, with partners including department store owner Intime Group, conglomerate Fosun Group and a few logistics companies. It oversees roughly 57 million deliveries a day. - Reuters

Subscribe now and receive FREE sooka plan for 1 month.
T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Business News

Bank of England cuts rates but sees higher inflation after Reeves' budget
Tengku Zafrul: Malaysia secures potential exports to China worth RM3.2bil
Malaysia ready for new investment era with clear economic vision - MoF
Microlink wins RM83.5mil project from Home Affairs Ministry
Ringgit marginally lower against US dollar at the close
TWL Holdings secures RM42.5mil banking facility from UOB Malaysia
Ekovest's Lim is said to consider sale of toll roads for RM5bil
Sunway Malls projects 5% growth for 2024
Pentamaster 3Q net profit halves to RM11.8mil
Metro Healthcare’s 156.63 mln IPO shares for public oversubscribed by 38.60 times

Others Also Read