Alibaba Statistics and Facts Last updated on: April 25, 2023

Alibaba Statistics: Alibaba Group Holding Limited is the Cayman Islands holding company established under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands on 28 June 1999. Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a China-based company with several subsidiaries worldwide. It is the largest online E-commerce site and was founded as a small enterprise in the belief that the Internet would play a vital role to increase small businesses and growth, as well as compete more effectively in the domestic and global market.

The company’s businesses comprise core commerce, cloud computing, digital media and entertainment, and innovation initiatives. In addition, Ant Financial – an unconsolidated related party – provides payment and financial services to consumers and merchants. A digital economy has developed around platforms and businesses that consist of consumers, merchants, brands, retailers, third-party service providers, strategic alliance partners, and other businesses.

GMV was RMB8,119 trillion for the fiscal year 2021. This included GMV transacted through Alibaba’s China online marketplaces as well as GMV transacted through local consumer services and international marketplaces. The annual active consumers of the Alibaba Ecosystem in the world amounted to 1,280 million during the twelve months ending December 31, 2021. This includes 979 million Chinese consumers and 301 million overseas consumers.

Company’s Operating Segments

1. Core Commerce

• Retail Commerce

• • Retail commerce in China

The company is the largest retail commerce business in the world and operates in the Taobao marketplace, which is China’s largest mobile commerce destination with a large and growing social community, and Tmall, which is the world’s largest third-party online and mobile commerce platform for brands and retailers.

• • Retail commerce — cross-border and global

Lazada is the leading E-commerce platform across Southeast Asia, with the provision of local language mobile apps and websites to serve customers in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. AliExpress enables consumers from around the world to buy directly from manufacturers and distributors in China, as well as around the world. Tmall Global – allows overseas brands and retailers to reach Chinese consumers, and is the largest import E-commerce platform in China.

• Wholesale Commerce
  • Wholesale commerce in China

1688.com – China’s leading integrated domestic wholesale marketplace – connects wholesale buyers and sellers spanning a wide range of categories. Lingshoutong – a digital sourcing platform for retailers – connects fast-moving consumer goods, or FMCG, brand manufacturers, and their distributors directly to local mom-and-pop stores in China.

• • Wholesale commerce — cross-border and global

China’s largest integrated international online wholesale marketplace. As of 31 March 2019, the buyers on Alibaba.com are located in over 190 countries globally.

• Logistics Services

Cainiao Network’s logistics data platform and global fulfillment network primarily leverage the capacity and capabilities of logistics partners. It offers domestic and international one-stop-shop logistics services and supply chain management solutions, fulfilling various logistics needs of merchants and consumers at scale, serving the digital economy and beyond. It facilitates the digitalization of the entire warehousing, fulfillment, and delivery processes, thereby improving efficiency across the logistics value chain.

• Consumer Services

The company offers mobile and online technology for enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and convenience of consumer services for both service providers and customers. The company’s technology – Ele. me – is a leading on-demand delivery and local services platform developed to enable consumers to order food and beverages through a mobile app anytime and anywhere. Koubei is a leading restaurant and local services guide platform for in-store consumption. Fliggy is a leading online travel platform, providing comprehensive services for consumers’ travel needs.

2. Cloud Computing

Alibaba Cloud is a global Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) player and was also China’s largest provider of public cloud services in terms of revenue in 2018, including Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).  Alibaba Cloud offers a complete suite of cloud services, including elastic computing, database, storage, network virtualization services, large-scale computing, security, big data analytics, a machine learning platform, and IoT services.

3. Digital Media and Entertainment

Digital media and entertainment is a natural extension of the company’s strategy to capitalize on consumption volume beyond its core commerce businesses. Insights the company gains from its commerce business and proprietary data technology enable it to deliver relevant digital media and entertainment content to consumers. The strategy helps to deliver a superior entertainment experience, increases customer loyalty, return on investment for enterprises, and improves monetization for content providers.

4. Innovation Initiatives

• In March 2019, Amap became the largest provider of mobile digital maps, navigation, and real-time traffic information in China, which is used by monthly active users. A map provides these services to end-users directly and operates a leading open platform in China that powers major mobile apps in different sectors, including food delivery, ride service, taxi-hailing, and social networking with big data-enabled digital mapping technology. In addition, Amap offers digital map data, navigation software, and real-time traffic information to international and domestic automobile manufacturers and aftermarket consumers in China.
• DingTalk was the largest business efficiency app in China by monthly active users in March 2019. DingTalk is a digital working platform that serves enterprises and organizations of various types and sizes with unified communication services, intelligent mobile workplaces, and network collaboration services. Through both PC and mobile devices, DingTalk provides a unified interface for communications in different forms such as text messages, photos, audio, videos, email, workflow management, and network collaborations.
• Tmall Genie is an AI-powered smart speaker and was the No. 1 smart speaker in China by shipments in 2018. It connects customers with services offered by digital economy participants in an interactive manner. Tmall Genie focuses on entertainment and educational content for families in order to broaden its user base and drive their engagement with their devices. It is a gateway to link customers with new services and experiences to be generated by IoT and smart home appliances.
• Ant Financial, Alibaba Group’s financial services arm, launched Financial Technology Services, with a focus on providing inclusive financial services to consumers and small and micro businesses, or SMBs, in China and across the world. It primarily operates digital payment services and financial technology platform services through sustained technological innovation and cooperation with financial institutions.
• Digital payment services – Alipay – is a leading global third-party mobile payment platform. Through Alipay, Ant Financial offers digital payment processing services predominantly to online and offline merchants and consumers globally.

Annual Revenue of Alibaba Group from the Financial Year 2011 to 2021 (in million dollars)

Annual e-Commerce Revenue FY 2011-FY 2021

Ad spending 2014-2021

Annual Segment Revenue Distribution FY 2017-FY 2021

Number of Employees FY 2012-FY 2021

Annual Net Income FY 2011-FY 2021

Key Distribution Platforms

• Youku

Youku was the third-largest online video platform in China in terms of monthly active users in March 2019. It enables users to search, view, and share high-quality video content quickly and easily across multiple devices. Youku brand is among the most recognized online video brands in China.

• UC Browser

UC Browser is one of the top mobile browsers in the world. It was the second-largest third-party browser in terms of monthly active users in China in March 2019.

Background History of the Company

1999:

• Alibaba Group was established by its 18 founders, led by Jack Ma in Hangzhou.
• Alibaba Group launched a China marketplace, which is currently known as 1688.com

2000:

• Alibaba Group raised US$ 20 Million.
• Internet business was organized for the first time by Alibaba Group.

2001:

• Alibaba Group outlines its mission and corporate values.
• com exceeds 1 Million registered users.

2003:

• A new online shopping website, Taobao Marketplace, was established

2004:

• Alibaba Group raised US$ 82 Million from various first-tier investors in the largest private equity commitment ever in the Chinese Internet sector.
• In June, Alibaba Group organized its first Entrepreneur Summit, at which a function for Internet entrepreneurs was arranged, and the first 10 Entrepreneurs of the Year were honored.

2005:

• Alibaba Group entered into a strategic partnership with Yahoo!
• In October, Alibaba Group took over all the operations of China Yahoo!

2006:

• A new program namely – Taobao University – was launched to provide E-commerce training and education to buyers and sellers.

2007:

• An online marketing technology platform namely – Alimama – was established by Alibaba Group.

2008:

• Alibaba Group R&D Institute was established.

2009:

• Alibaba Cloud was established, coupled with Alibaba Group’s 10th-anniversary celebration.
• com acquired HiChina – China’s leading Internet infrastructure service provider.

2010:

• Alibaba.com was renamed China marketplace 1688.com and Taobao Marketplace was launched.
• AliExpress was established to enable exporters in China to reach and directly transact with consumers worldwide.

2011:

• Alibaba Group launched Alibaba Foundation coupled with a sizeable fund dedicated to social reasons.

2012:

• Alibaba Group accomplished an initial repurchase of shares from Yahoo!

2013:

• Alibaba Group transferred its campus to Xixi District in Hangzhou.
• The mobile social networking app, Laiwang (currently known as DianDianChong), was officially launched by the Alibaba Group

2014:

• Under the Ali Telecom brand, Alibaba Group started offering mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) services in China

2015:

• Alibaba Group and Ant Financial Services Group announced the closing of the reorganizing of the relationships between the two companies.
• Alibaba Group announced the production of Alibaba Music Group.
• Alibaba Group launched the Alibaba Sports Group together with Sina Corporation and Yunfeng Capital.

2016:

• Alibaba Group launched OS’Car – the first YunOS-enabled, mass-produced Internet car, in collaboration with SAIC Motor Corp.

2017:

• The International Olympic Committee and Alibaba Group mutually announced a long-term partnership until 2028.
• Alibaba Group introduced strategies to start the first overseas e-hub under the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) initiative coupled with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
• The Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund launched JUMPSTARTER – Hong Kong’s largest start-up competition – merged with Cyberport and HKSTP.
• Alibaba Group updates its loyalty program for Taobao and Tmall members and established a joint venture with Marriott International to redefine the travel experience for Chinese consumers.

2018:

• Alibaba Group announces plans to acquire a 33% equity interest in Ant Financial.
• Alibaba Group unveils its technology showcase – “The Olympic Games on the Cloud” – at Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
• Alibaba Group and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) launch the Alibaba-NTU Singapore Joint Research Institute.
• Alibaba Cloud’s Indonesian data center commences operations.
• Alibaba Group announces an additional US$2 billion investment in Lazada Group.
• Alibaba Group fully acquires Ele.me, a leading on-demand delivery and local services platform in China.
• Alibaba Group announces a partnership with Tsinghua University to establish a joint research lab focusing on the natural experience of human-computer interaction.
• Alibaba Group and the Government of Thailand enter into a strategic partnership to drive the development of Thailand’s digital economy.
• Daraz Group, a leading e-commerce company in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Nepal, is fully acquired by Alibaba Group.
• Alibaba Group, SenseTime, and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation announce the launch of The HKAI Lab.
• Alibaba advocates the establishment of the Luohan Academy, an open research platform with Nobel Laureates and leading international social scientists.
• Alibaba Group rolls out a new premium “88 VIP” membership package that will offer exclusive benefits to members across the Alibaba ecosystem.
• Ele.me and Koubei are integrated into Alibaba Group’s local consumer services business.
• Alibaba Cloud expands its European presence with the opening of two availability zones in the United Kingdom.
• Alibaba Group and the Rwandan Government sign Memoranda of Understanding to establish an eWTP hub in Rwanda.
• Alibaba Group announces its commitment to help import US$200 billion worth of goods from more than 120 countries over the next five years.
• Alibaba Group and the Government of Belgium signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote inclusive trade under the eWTP initiative.

2019:

• Alibaba Group launches the Alibaba Business Operating System, a holistic one-stop solution to accelerate companies’ digital transformation.
• Alibaba Cloud announces the Tech for Change initiative, which aims to tackle global social and humanitarian challenges through technologies.
• Alibaba Group acquires majority ownership of Alibaba Pictures.
• The Alibaba Economy Technology Philanthropic Committee is established with a focus on technology-driven philanthropy.
• Alibaba Group enters into a strategic collaboration with the municipal government of Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China to launch an eWTP hub in Yiwu.
• Alibaba Group acquires Kaola, an import e-commerce platform in China.
• Alibaba Group announces a refresh of its six core values on the 20th anniversary of its founding.
• Alibaba Group receives a newly-issued 33% equity interest in Ant Financial.
• Alibaba Group announces its goal of serving over one billion annual active consumers and achieving over RMB10 trillion in annual GMV through its China consumer business by the end of fiscal 2024.
• Alibaba Group increases its equity stake in Cainiao Network to approximately 63%.
• The Government of Ethiopia and Alibaba Group signed agreements to establish an eWTP hub in Ethiopia.
• Alibaba Group is officially listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.
• In May 2019, Bloomberg cited sources familiar with the matter as saying that Alibaba was considering raising $20 billion through the second listing in Hong Kong. On Tuesday, 10 September 2019, Jack Ma officially stepped down as the chairman of Alibaba, Daniel Zhang succeeded him as the head of the company. In September 2019, the municipal government of Hangzhou announced that it was boosting its monitoring of the private sector by embedding government officials in Alibaba and other companies.

2020:

• In September, Alibaba Group’s subsidiary, Cainiao Smart acquired a 10.33% stake in Singapore-based Transfar Shipping.
• In June, Alibaba Cloud announced to an investment of US$283 million, to empower global partners and create joint products and solutions to benefit customers across all sectors.
• In May, Alibaba entered into an agreement to acquire a 50% stake in Perennial Shenton Investors Pte Ltd.
• In June, Alibaba and Zhejiang China Commodity City Group entered into an agreement to establish an eWTP Yiwu joint venture.
• In June, Alibaba Group’s cloud computing division, Alibaba Cloud and Aryaka entered into a partnership to deliver its managed SD-WAN service to its customers.
• In July, Alibaba Group and BMW entered into a partnership to establish a joint innovation base in Shanghai, China for internet and automotive startups.
• In July, Alibaba, COSCO SHIPPING, and Ant Financial entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to develop blockchain shipping logistics solutions.
• In July, Alipay, a part of the company, and Vodacom Group entered into a partnership to create a super app in South Africa to shop online, pay bills and send money.
• In July, Alibaba’s payments subsidiary, Ant Group introduced a new blockchain solution, AntChain to increase trust and transparency in industrial processes.
• In July, the company’s cloud computing arm, Alibaba Cloud announced the addition of three super data centers with over one million servers in China.
• In August, Alibaba agreed to acquire a stake in E-House (China) Enterprise Holdings Ltd for HK$828.1 million.
• In August, Alibaba Group and Total (China) Investment signed a memorandum of understanding to drive the digital transformation of Total’s operations in China.
• In August, the company’s subsidiary, Alipay entered into a partnership with Paysend to provide users with a cross-border money transfer.
• In August, Alibaba announced its plans to acquire an additional 12% stake in YTO Express.
• The year 2020: Contracts/Agreements; In July, Alibaba’s cloud computing arm, Alibaba Cloud collaborated with CGG GeoSoftware to support the exploration and production industry with cloud geoscience technologies.
• In September, Alibaba announced its plans to acquire a stake in Zhaopin.com, an online recruitment advertising company.
• In September, Alibaba Group’s cloud computing arm, Alibaba Cloud launched its first cloud computer, Wuying.
• In September, Alibaba Cloud launched an autonomous logistics robot, Xiao Manlv.
• In October, Alibaba Group agreed to acquire up to 10% stake in Dufry AG.
• In October, Alibaba announced the acquisition of a 25% stake in STO Express for CNY 3.3 billion.
• In October, Alibaba agreed to acquire Sun Art Retail Group from French retailer Auchan for US$3.6 billion.
• In October, Alibaba agreed to acquire a 70.94% stake in Jixin Holdings Ltd from Auchan Retail International S.A. and Gaoxin Retail will merge with Ali.
• In October, Alibaba and Dufry AG entered into a collaboration to form a joint venture to explore and invest in the travel retail business in China.
• In October, Alibaba Group agreed to acquire a 6.1% stake in Dufry AG.
• In October, Alibaba and BMW entered into a memorandum of understanding to promote digital transformation across the BMW business.
• In November 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping personally scuttled Jack Ma’s Ant Group IPO. At that time this was highlighted as the world’s largest IPO suspension, sending a chilling warning to numerous entrepreneurs. Bo Zhuang, chief China economist at TS Lombard said that the suspension “forms part of a wider political drive as the leadership seeks to widen and consolidate its control over finance and technology”. What followed was an unexpected Chinese government-released draft on 10 November 2020, which gives regulatory authorities a wider latitude to regulate their biggest tech enterprises.
• In November, Alibaba announced its plans to invest in Mango Excellent Media.
• In December, Alibaba Group and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd invested US$45.8 million in SAIC motor’s ride-hailing brand.
• In September, the company launched its Rhino smart manufacturing platform and opened a cloud-driven Rhino manufacturing digital factory in Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China.
• In October, Alibaba Group announced its plan to acquire a 70.94% stake in Jixin Holdings Co., Ltd. from AuchanRetail International S.A. and its subsidiaries.
• In December, Alibaba along with SAIC Motor, and Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park Development formed a joint venture company, Zhiji Motor Technology Co., Ltd.
• In January, the company partnered with First Abu Dhabi Bank to connect UAE merchants through Alipay.
• In February, the company acquired Keruyun, a SaaS company.
• In March, the company launched relief packages, for coronavirus-affected online merchants.
• In March, the company announced its plans to acquire a 10% stake in Yunda Holding Co Ltd.
• In January, the Group and other companies raised US$88.3 million in Shihui Group through a Series A funding round.
• In March, the company acquired a majority stake in Yinhekuyu Media, for a value of US$57 million.
• In April, Alibaba and other companies raised US$60 million in BigBasket.
• In April, the company along with Inspur, Tsinghua Unigroup, IBM, Tencent, Huawei Technologies, and Baidu formed a blockchain innovation alliance.
• In April, the company’s cloud computing arm announced its plans to invest US$28 billion in the research and development of core technologies such as servers, cloud operating systems, chips, and networks.
• In May, the company launched a new zero-contact initiative to support Australian hospitality businesses.
• In May, the company and VeChain announced joining an Australian-Chinese finance project to supply chain tracking and sustainable shipping between Australia and China.
• In June, Alibaba.com announced to introduce of Alibaba.com Freight, Alibaba.com Payment Terms, and Alibaba.com Online Trade Shows USA services to advance their efforts to digitize and pivot online for small and medium-sized businesses

2021:

• In January, Alibaba and Unilever entered into a partnership to launch recycling machines featuring artificial intelligence.
• In February 2021, Alibaba sold $5 billion in bonds, the company’s third large sale of dollar bonds, issuing four sets priced to yield between 2.143% and 3.251%. The four sets of bonds were $1.5 billion for both 10 years and 30-year debt along with $1 billion of bonds due in 20 and 40 years. The 20-year bonds were designated as sustainability notes.
• In April, Alibaba invested US$350 million in Turkey-based Trendyol.
• On April 9, 2021, as part of a Chinese crackdown on big tech, the State Administration for Market Regulation issued a $2.8 billion fine against Alibaba for anti-competitive practices and ordered Alibaba to file self-examination and compliance reports to the SAMR for three years. This amounted to 12% of its 2020 net profit. Critics say the move tightens the Chinese control of tech companies.
• In May, Alibaba and Baring Private Equity Asia-led consortium acquired a 5.5% stake in The CrownX for US$400 million.
• In May, Alibaba and BMW opened their new innovation center in Shanghai, China.
• In June, Alibaba announced its plans to develop self-driving trucks with its logistics subsidiary Cainiao.
• In June, Alibaba’s subsidiary, Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, and the Hainan government entered a strategic partnership to support the development of the Hainan global smart supply chain pilot zone.
• In June, Alibaba Group along with other investors invested US$12.5 million in a retail startup, Browse.
• In June 2021, Alibaba’s Tmall Innovation Partnership turns around a major new cosmetic product in 59 Days. It was a new product that they discovered the local market was searching for this solution, and the data and platform for a product, launch allowed them to launch a new product end-to-end within 59 days. It is one of the fastest that they have ever managed to launch a new product.
• 6 Companies Owned by Alibaba
• In July, Alibaba joined the Chinese local government and other corporate backers in a US$1.4 billion investment in Suning.com.
• In July, Alibaba Group along with other investors invested US$460 million in Chinese smart car supplier, Banma.
• In July, Alibaba and ByteDance invested in Yuehua Entertainment, a multinational entertainment group, and talent agency.
• In August, Alibaba Group’s online marketplace, AliExpress announced to the expansion of its services in Brazil.
• In September, Alibaba announced its plans to sell a 5.01% stake in Mango Excellent Media, a publicly traded media company.
• In October, Alibaba’s cloud computing arm, Alibaba Cloud introduced the new server chips, Yitian 710, to optimize cloud computing services.
• In December, Alibaba announced its plans to divest its stake in Twitter Inc.

2022:

• In March, Alibaba upsized its share repurchase program to US$25 billion from US$15 billion.

2018 Financial Highlights

• Revenue from China’s commerce retail business in the fiscal year 2019 accounted for US$ 37,142.3 Million.
• Revenue from China’s commerce wholesale business in the fiscal year 2019 was US$ 1,498.2 Million.
• Revenue from international commerce retail business in the fiscal year 2019 was US$ 2,933.7 Million.
• Revenue from international commerce wholesale business in the fiscal year 2019 was US$ 1,225.1 Million.
• Revenue from Cainiao logistics services was US$ 2,232.8 Million in the fiscal year 2019.
• Revenue from the cloud computing business in the fiscal year 2019 was US$ 3,705.3 Million.
• Revenue from the digital media and entertainment business in the fiscal year 2019 was US$ 3,611.6 Million.
• Revenue from innovation initiatives and others in the fiscal year 2019 was US$ 699.8 Million.

2019 Financial Highlights

• Alibaba’s annual revenue for 2019 was $56.152B, a 40.74% increase from 2018.
• Marketplace-based core commerce adjusted EBITA grew 31% YoY to RMB161.6 billion (US$24.1 billion).
• Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB87.6 billion (US$13.1 billion).
• Non-GAAP free cash flow was RMB104.5 billion (US$15.6 billion).
• Full-year GMV was RMB5.7 trillion (US$853 billion), up 19% YoY.

2020 Financial Highlights

• Alibaba’s revenue for the quarter ending June 30, 2020, was $21.762B, a 29.99% increase year-over-year.
• Alibaba’s revenue for the twelve months ending June 30, 2020, was $77.006B, a 26.94% increase year-over-year.
• Alibaba’s annual revenue for 2020 was $71.985B, a 28.2% increase from 2019.

2021 Financial Highlights

• Alibaba’s revenue for March 2021 was 110,760.26 Mn.
• Alibaba’s total revenue for the last quarter of 2021 was $36,822.1M.
• Alibaba’s annual E-Commerce revenue was approximately $72.3B ending March 31, 2021.
• Alibaba annual revenue for 2021 was $71.985B $109B, a 51.3% increase from 2020.

Fun facts:

• Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is also known as the owner of a delivery logistics company
• Alibaba has changed the way department stores in China operate
• Hema Supermarket chain was originally founded by the Alibaba Group
• Alibaba did not want to reveal it was a China-based company
• Jack Ma started Alibaba on a shoestring budget
• Alibaba is overwhelmed with hackers
• The First Internet search of Jack Ma’s was “Beer.”
• To start the company, Jack Ma borrowed a small amount of money
• In a novel way, Jack Ma chose the name “Alibaba”
• The founder of Alibaba is a talented public speaker and showman
• Alibaba is immersed in technological ingenuity, yet the founder has little expertise
• Alibaba is a little-known giant, which is bigger than Amazon

Locations of ALIBABA GROUP:

Hangzhou (Binjiang District), Hong Kong, Taipei City, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, France (for France, Israel, Middle East, and North Africa regions), Germany (for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, and Eastern Europe), Italy (for Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece), The Netherlands (for the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg), U.K. (for U.K., Ireland, and Nordics), the US.

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