Alibaba Group was established in 1999 by 18 people led by Jack Ma, a former English teacher from Hangzhou, China. From the outset, the company’s founders shared a belief that the Internet would level the playing field by enabling small enterprises to leverage innovation and technology to grow and compete more effectively in the domestic and global economies. Since launching its first website helping small and medium-sized enterprises in China to sell internationally, Alibaba Group has grown into a digital ecosystem with businesses comprising core commerce, cloud computing, digital media and entertainment, and innovation initiatives.

March
GMV transacted in the Alibaba ecosystem surpasses US$1 trillion for fiscal year 2020.

April
Alibaba launches the “2020 Spring Thunder” initiatives to help SMEs explore opportunities amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Alibaba Group launches the “2020 Spring Thunder” initiatives

September
Alibaba Group reveals its New Manufacturing model for the first time with the unveiling of Xunxi Digital Factory.

Xunxi Digital Factory

October
Alibaba Group announces plans to acquire a controlling stake in Sun Art, a leading hypermarket and supermarket operator in China, to accelerate its New Retail strategy.