Alibaba lowers membership costs for German SMEs

E-commerce giant Alibaba has announced an exclusive membership package for merchants in Germany, which aims to support SMEs in their digitalization efforts. Starting in September, retailers will be able to join the platform for a 3-month trial for $9 instead of $399.

The B2B online platform made the announcement at a flagship event in Berlin this week. The company surveyed 1,008 German SMEs about the challenges they face. The majority (88 percent) of them said that digitalization is a key element of success, but only 41 percent are fully digital.

Only 11% of surveyed SMEs have implemented artificial intelligence in their business so far

Many SMEs fear that digitization comes with high costs. Additionally, 96 percent of respondents believe that artificial intelligence will have an impact on their exports. However, only 11% have implemented them so far.

New solutions

That’s why Alibaba has decided to launch a suite of new solutions for sellers in Germany. Part of that is a revision of its membership model, which will begin in September. Sellers can get started on the online marketplace with a three-month trial for 8.40 euros ($9), a big change from the standard 372.61 euros ($399).

“Alibaba also launches AI-powered seller tools”

The platform also launches artificial intelligence-based tools such as AI-generated product lists, a chat bot and automatic analyzes of category-relevant data. These updates will make it easier for sellers to make strategic decisions as well as communicate with potential buyers.

“Digital transformation affects all sectors”

“The digital transformation has been affecting all sectors in Germany for some time now and seems to be rapidly being overtaken by AI innovations. Today we want to make it clear that there are concrete and practical solutions that will help SMEs in particular use digital and AI-supported tools to open up new markets and partners around the world,” said Karl Wehner, Managing Director of Alibaba DACH.

“But it also requires a systemic effort in which companies, politicians and representative associations work together to remove obstacles and strengthen competences and skills to seize current and future digital opportunities.”