Internet-based business Alibaba Group will soon launch a U.S. based boutique e-commerce site called 11 Main, where businesses can sell successfully online.
Alibaba will launch the 11main.com site through Vendio and Auctiva, part of the Alibaba.com business group, which the company acquired in 2010, according to Reuters.
As China’s major e-commerce company, Alibaba is on a mission to “make it easy for anyone to buy or sell anywhere in the world.” The company currently operates Tabao.com, China’s most popular consumer-to-consumer (C2C) shopping locale and Tmall.com, the country’s leading business-to-business (B2B) site. Alibaba has been working on its international expansion and has so far invested in U.S. retail site, ShopRunner and created a U.S.-based investment division for future growth.
The 11main.com site is up with an “Opening Soon” sign and sellers will have to seek invitations to be considered and buyers will have to subscribe with an email address for access to the product.
According to the site, 11 Main hand selects shop owners who sell “interesting, quality products” in the boutique’s key categories. Those categories include: Baby & Kids; Fashion & Style; Collecting & Art; Crafts, Hobbies & Toys; Entertainment; Health & Beauty; Home & Outdoor; Jewelry & Watches; Sporting Goods & Fitness and Tech & Gadgets.
Selected sellers who will provide good customer service, display detailed images with clear descriptions and offer fast, reasonably priced shipping originating in the U.S. will be considered, the site notes.
“Alibaba is happy to support 11 Main,” an Alibaba spokeswoman told Reuters. “Alibaba is run by entrepreneurs and firmly believes in supporting entrepreneurs with great vision and a strong sense of mission for their companies.”