AliExpress global retail marketplace

AliExpress is a major international e-commerce platform that was launched in 2010. It serves as a retail bridge connecting mostly Chinese-based sellers and manufacturers with individual buyers across the globe. Unlike its domestic counterparts, it is specifically designed to facilitate business-to-consumer (B2C) trade on an international scale, supporting multiple languages and diverse payment systems.

The platform is owned and operated by the Alibaba Group, a multinational technology giant. While the service itself is a digital marketplace rather than a physical product, the vast majority of goods sold through the site are manufactured in China. The company has evolved significantly since its inception, becoming one of the most visited e-commerce websites globally, driven by its competitive pricing and direct access to factory-level distributors.