Alibaba strikes e-commerce deal with Unilever

Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba and consumer products maker Unilever have entered a strategic partnership in a deal that will expand the multinational’s reach in China.

The partnership gives Unilever access to big data from Alibaba’s online marketing business Alimama, which it will use to improve its digital marketing strategy.

Alibaba’s chief executive officer Daniel Zhang said: “We are very pleased to amplify our partnership with an industry leader such as Unilever.”

He added: “Alibaba Group and Unilever will jointly innovate in big data analytics application, cross-border e-commerce, and supply chain management.”

Marijn Van Tiggelen, president of Unilever North Asia, said: “Alibaba has changed the shopping habit of Chinese consumers. Its mission is to make it easy to do business everywhere, and its vision is to build the future infrastructure of commerce. This meets the Unilever’s development needs in China.”

Unilever is a British-Dutch company that makes food, home and personal care products including Dove soap, Flora spread and Wall’s ice cream. Emerging markets account for 57 percent of the company’s business.