Alibaba.Com Hosts Event To Support Northern Powerhouse Exporters During International Trade Week

To celebrate the Department for International Trade’s International Trade Week

(31st October – 4th November), Alibaba.com is hosting an event in Manchester on 2 November to help advise local businesses on how the leading B2B marketplace can help them export around the world.

This year’s International Trade Week comes at an opportune moment, with businesses across the UK under increased pressure to unlock innovative ways to grow. When it comes to B2B exports, many people don’t realise that the global B2B e-commerce market is valued at five times the size of the B2C market, with both buyers and sellers increasingly turning to ecommerce as a key part of their sales strategy.

During the Manchester event, businesses will be able to learn more about how Alibaba.com, the global B2B e-commerce platform, can help them cost-effectively reach and match with buyers in new markets. The platform has more than 40 million active buyers in over 190 countries - from the US to India, Brazil to the EU.

Roland Palmer, General Manager UK, Benelux and Nordics, Alibaba Group, said: “There is a massive appetite across the world for UK goods. By trading internationally, Northern Powerhouse businesses of all sizes can access more customers and new markets, diversify and spread business risk, and leverage a platform for innovative ideas and new practices.”

“We want to ensure more businesses are given the support they need to achieve global growth. Filling the knowledge gap, especially for SMEs starting on their export journey, is critical.”

Alibaba.com sees strong international demand across a broad range of categories, with roughly 340,000 inquiries submitted every day on the platform. Food & Beverage is the most in-demand category on the platform, with demand growing 40% yoy last year - 3x the rate of supply.

In a recent survey of over 2,000 UK businesses, almost half are concerned about the challenges of cross-border trade, despite recognising the export potential, with the biggest barriers to exporting identified as paperwork and customs rules. Confidence amongst UK businesses that do currently export is high, with 78% saying they expect their export sales to increase in the next

12 months. UK businesses are also seeing the benefit of online channels, with 92% of those currently exporting using online marketplaces - and 68% saying it’s a key part of their export strategy. The main reasons reported for this shift online were that it’s more cost effective, you can reach more buyers, it’s more efficient and it removes the need to travel.

Tommy Crooks, Managing Director for The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company, made the decision to launch on Alibaba.com in October, and opened his store on the platform less than two weeks later. “Currently we have two stores in Edinburgh but selling to the world through online marketplaces such as Alibaba.com takes our business to another level,” said Tommy. “As a 100% natural skincare business, we’re also very well placed to take advantage of the quality and heritage associated with British brands. It’s incredibly exciting to be able to turn our export ambitions into reality.”

At last year’s International Trade Week, the Government unveiled its export strategy, with a goal to raise exports to £1 trillion by the mid-2030s or sooner, supported by improved finance and support services.

Businesses can register to attend the DIT and Alibaba.com ‘Unlocking the B2B Export Opportunity’ event