Logo

Alibaba's Instant Commerce Platform Surpasses 40 Million Daily Orders

Alibaba Group’s Taobao Instant Commerce platform has exceeded 40 million daily orders within a month of launch, showcasing its aggressive entry into China’s fast-growing instant commerce market. Leveraging its delivery arm Ele.me, Alibaba is intensifying competition with JD.com and Meituan in providing ultra-fast delivery of diverse products. The sector is projected to grow significantly, reflecting evolving consumer demands and strategic shifts among major Chinese e-commerce players.

Alibaba's Instant Commerce Platform Surpasses 40 Million Daily Orders

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. announced on May 26, 2025, that its Taobao Instant Commerce platform has achieved a significant milestone of over 40 million daily orders less than a month after its launch. This achievement underscores Alibaba’s rapid expansion into China's burgeoning instant commerce sector, where products ranging from groceries to electronics can be delivered within an hour.

The service is integrated into Alibaba’s flagship Taobao app and utilizes the company’s food delivery subsidiary, Ele.me, to meet the rising consumer demand for ultra-fast delivery. Earlier this month, Alibaba reported reaching 10 million daily orders during a major promotional campaign. The swift increase to 40 million orders highlights both the robust consumer response and the extensive logistical capabilities Alibaba has mobilized.

This advancement intensifies competition among China's leading instant commerce players. JD.com and Meituan have long invested in advanced warehousing and delivery systems, securing early advantages. However, Alibaba’s strategy of leveraging Ele.me’s courier network and embedding instant commerce directly within Taobao’s core shopping experience is shifting the competitive landscape.

Market analysts, including Chen Liteng from consultancy 100ec.cn, characterize the current market as a 'triopoly' dominated by Alibaba, JD.com, and Meituan. The instant commerce sector is among the fastest-growing segments in China’s digital economy, with SDIC Securities projecting a 29% market growth to exceed 1 trillion yuan (approximately US$137.5 billion) in 2025. Although smaller than the food delivery market, which is expected to reach 1.65 trillion yuan by 2025, instant commerce’s revenue growth is anticipated to surpass it due to its wider range of product offerings and increasing consumer adoption.

This trend reflects a broader strategic shift by Chinese internet companies toward integrating online platforms closely with local delivery services. It also represents a response to the challenges of slowing e-commerce growth and cautious consumer spending in the post-pandemic environment.

German Regulator Warns Amazon Over Potentially Anticompetitive Pricing Controls
German Regulator Warns Amazon Over Potentially Anticompetitive Pricing Controls

German antitrust regulators have cautioned Amazon that its algorithm-driven pricing controls on third-party sellers might violate competition laws. These controls can demote products priced above Amazon's set caps, impacting sellers' visibility and pricing autonomy. Amazon disputes these findings, asserting such mechanisms ensure competitive pricing for customers. This warning adds to ongoing global scrutiny of Amazon's marketplace practices.

Walmart Targets Younger Shoppers Amid Rising Tariffs and Economic Pressures
Walmart Targets Younger Shoppers Amid Rising Tariffs and Economic Pressures

Amid rising tariffs and economic concerns, Walmart is advancing strategies to attract younger and new customers. Initiatives include a tween-focused private clothing brand, expanded drone delivery services, and a fresh advertising campaign to modernize its brand image. Despite cost pressures, Walmart's leadership notes stable shopper behavior with a focus on grocery spending and higher-margin merchandise to offset tariffs, positioning the retailer for growth across diverse consumer segments.

Starbucks Introduces AI Assistant Powered by Microsoft Azure to Boost Barista Efficiency
Starbucks Introduces AI Assistant Powered by Microsoft Azure to Boost Barista Efficiency

Starbucks unveiled Green Dot Assist, an AI-powered assistant built on Microsoft's Azure OpenAI platform, designed to aid baristas by providing quick answers to operational queries, aiming to reduce order service times to four minutes. The technology will roll out to 35 U.S. and Canadian stores this month, with broader deployment in fiscal 2026, supporting the company’s turnaround strategy to streamline café operations and improve customer service.

Amazon Expands Prime Day to Four Days Starting July 8, 2025
Amazon Expands Prime Day to Four Days Starting July 8, 2025

Amazon is extending its popular Prime Day sale to four days, running from July 8 through July 11, 2025. This year’s event will showcase daily themed deal drops available while supplies last, designed to create urgency and boost engagement. Originally launched in 2015 to grow its $139 annual Prime membership, Prime Day continues to be a critical mid-year sales event, influencing retail trends beyond Amazon.

Trump Urges Apple to Manufacture iPhones in the US, Threatens Tariffs
Trump Urges Apple to Manufacture iPhones in the US, Threatens Tariffs

President Trump is urging Apple to manufacture its iPhones in the United States, threatening a 25% tariff on products made overseas, including in India. This push follows a conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook and broadens to encompass all smartphone manufacturers. Industry experts warn that relocating production to the U.S. could dramatically increase costs for consumers. The debate surrounding tariffs continues as the White House remains unclear about their implementation.

Sridhar Vembu Discusses His Mother's Impact on His Career Choices
Sridhar Vembu Discusses His Mother's Impact on His Career Choices

Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho, shared a touching tweet about his mother's questioning of his AI work and travel commitments, revealing a common generational gap in understanding tech roles. His humorous exchange highlights the pressures many individuals in technology face from their parents regarding work-life balance. Users resonated with this theme, sharing their own experiences with similar parental expectations. Vembu's recent career transition adds context to this relatable discussion.

Assam to Enhance Incentives for Electronics Manufacturers, Says CM Sarma
Assam to Enhance Incentives for Electronics Manufacturers, Says CM Sarma

Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared significant enhancements to incentives for electronics manufacturers establishing operations in the state, particularly following the introduction of the Ratan Tata Electronic City. During the Electronics Round Table 2025, he confirmed a 60% additional incentive on top of existing Union government offerings, aimed at facilitating industry entry and growth in Assam. The development plans prioritize attracting local talent and improving infrastructure, including social amenities.

Olectra Greentech Reports 39% Rise in Q4FY25 Profit Amid EV Expansion
Olectra Greentech Reports 39% Rise in Q4FY25 Profit Amid EV Expansion

Olectra Greentech Limited posted a 39% jump in Q4FY25 profit to Rs 20.69 crore on a 55% revenue increase to Rs 448.92 crore, driven by a 67% rise in EV deliveries. For FY25, PAT rose 77% to Rs 139 crore with revenues up 56%. The company also introduced Blade Battery technology showcasing enhanced performance and safety at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

China's Instant Commerce Sparks Fierce Price War with $0.30 Coffee Deals
China's Instant Commerce Sparks Fierce Price War with $0.30 Coffee Deals

China’s instant commerce battlefield heats up as JD.com, Alibaba, and Meituan slash prices to as low as 30 cents for coffee, fueled by billions in subsidies. While consumers relish fast and cheap deliveries, investors watch cautiously as soaring discounts pressure profits and stock valuations. This escalating war underscores the complex trade-off between rapid growth and sustainable earnings in the gig-driven digital economy.

Pakistani PM's Gift to Army Chief Mocked for Chinese Drill Image
Pakistani PM's Gift to Army Chief Mocked for Chinese Drill Image

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently faced significant ridicule on social media after he presented Army Chief Asim Munir with a framed photo that falsely claimed to depict Operation Bunyan al-Marsus. The image turned out to be from a 2019 Chinese military drill, prompting users online to mock the leaders for their egregious manipulation of facts. Many critics pointed out the absurdity of using a foreign military exercise to celebrate domestic military efforts, leading to an overwhelming wave of sarcastic comments and critiques of the overall military narrative in Pakistan.

OpenAI to Launch Seoul Office Amid Rising ChatGPT Demand in South Korea
OpenAI to Launch Seoul Office Amid Rising ChatGPT Demand in South Korea

Responding to increasing ChatGPT subscriptions, OpenAI is establishing its first office in Seoul and hiring staff to strengthen partnerships. South Korea ranks second after the US in paying ChatGPT users. The company highlights Korea’s robust AI ecosystem and plans to expand collaborations, including with Kakao, while engaging local political leaders to support its growth.