ALIBABA IN ACTION: COVID-19

China is taking a novel approach to revive its economy, seeding digital coupons with consumers to encourage spending on everything from groceries to luxury goods. Unlike cash stipends, which encourage people to save or invest, coupons drive people to spend – something of the utmost importance in a post-crisis world.

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck China, U.S.-based cleaning-solutions company Bissell leveraged Alibaba's digital tools and strategies to manage disruptions and keep pace with changing consumer demands. Thanks for its agile response to the health crisis, the company saw a significant boost in online sales starting in Q1 and higher return-on-investment results across its listed products.

Alibaba.com's B2B Today is a support initiative for small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. during the Covid-19 crisis. The program aims to build up a community of buyers, sellers and industry insiders as a way to foster connections and confidence among business-owners, said the company.

Daniel Zhang, chairman and chief executive officer of Alibaba Group, talked about growth and digital transformation in the post-coronavirus era during a call with analysts following the company's announcement of its March quarter and full fiscal year 2020 earnings.

The Global MediXchange for Combating Covid-19 platform hosted a webinar with some of the world's leading infectious-disease experts to discuss recent advances in the development of treatments for the coronavirus disease. Meanwhile, Alibaba's B2C e-commerce site Tmall said it saw a growing trend of "revenge buying" in May, as Chinese consumers indulged in spending sprees to make up for time lost in lockdown.‬

‪VIDEO: The travel industry has been hugely impacted by Covid-19. Until global travel can resume again, watch how Alibaba’s travel services platform Fliggy has helped tourism bureaus in Europe continue to engage with Chinese consumers.‬

Covid-19 may be challenging brands and retailers across the world but those that have invested in building out digital capabilities are continuing to generate sales and engage with customers at a time when commerce has otherwise ground to a near-complete halt. Digital savviness will remain crucial as retailers and brands adapt to consumer preferences shaped and shifted by the pandemic. From digitally native brands to global fashion houses, here are some companies that have tapped into technologies to outlast the outbreak.