Alibaba acquires US ecommerce site Vendio

Top China's online B2B platform Alibaba.com agreed to acquire Vendio, a US provider of e-commerce services.

Vendio Services: the US Alibaba

Vendio provides a software-as-a-service eCommerce technology platform offering the same Internet business services in the US as Alibaba.com connects millions of buyers and sellers around the world.

Small retailers can operate their own web store as well as build links to sell through other channels such as eBay.com, Amazon.com and several comparison shopping engines.

The start-up already hosts services for 80,000 small U.S. businesses which can now link into Alibaba's network of buyers and suppliers.

The deal is expected to be closed next month. Vendio will continue to operate under its own name as a unit of Alibaba.com.

Alibaba.com to expand abroad

By acquiring Vendio, Alibaba.com will reinforce its wholesale business supplier network by adding tens of thousands of retailers and expand its business model to provide retail e-commerce technology and services to US merchants.

Alibaba.com’s first major US acquisition may be a first step to expand globally. By expanding abroad, Alibaba is following the example of Rakuten which recently entered the European market through the acquisition of French eCommerce leader PriceMinister.

Alibaba.com is the listed unit of the Alibaba Group. A few weeks ago, Alibaba Group established a small loan company to lend money to Chinese SMEs.