Alibaba and Bailian JV Ego stores Debut
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Take a look inside the first of 500 fresh-food and convenience stores planned by Alibaba and Bailian, which has opened in Shanghai. The fruits of Alibaba’s joint venture with Bailian Group are on show in Shanghai where the first of 500 Ego stores planned this year is now trading.
According to mainland media reports, the joint venture has leased space for up to 30 outlets under the Ego brand already. Two formats are planned – larger central stores with footprints of between 300sqm and 500sqm, and smaller satellite stores of about 100sqm.
Analysts say the Ego format – the stores are bannered Ego 逸刻 (which translates to Escape) – will bring together the back-end expertise of Alibaba Group with Bailian’s brick-and-mortar convenience experience.
Bailian and Alibaba announced their strategic cooperation in February 2017 jointly creating what they described as a “New Retail, new consumption, new future” concept. They pledged to work together to use big data and internet technologies in areas including efficient supply chain integration, customer membership systems, seamless payment interconnections, and logistics synergy.
“More than two years after Alibaba’s RMB1 billion deal with Bailian Group, we can finally see some fruits of this collaboration,” observed China-based entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and author Dr Mirko Wormuth, who posted these accompanying photos on LinkedIn.
About two-thirds of the Ego store area is dedicated to fresh or hot products, including coffee, baked bread, and hot meals. The remaining space sells bottled and packaged foods.
The first store in Shanghai is equipped with three self-checkout machines, in addition to Alipay checkout, and encourages consumers to pay by Bailian wallet.
“The fruits of Alibaba’s joint venture with Bailian Group are on show in Shanghai where the first of 500 Ego stores planned this year is now trading.”
The fruits of Alibaba’s joint venture with Bailian Group are on show in Shanghai where the first of 500 Ego stores planned this year is now trading.
According to mainland media reports, the joint venture has leased space for up to 30 outlets under the Ego brand already. Two formats are planned – larger central stores with footprints of between 300sqm and 500sqm, and smaller satellite stores of about 100sqm.
Analysts say the Ego format – the stores are bannered Ego 逸刻 (which translates to Escape) – will bring together the back-end expertise of Alibaba Group with Bailian’s brick-and-mortar convenience experience.
Bailian and Alibaba announced their strategic cooperation in February 2017 jointly creating what they described as a “New Retail, new consumption, new future” concept. They pledged to work together to use big data and internet technologies in areas including efficient supply chain integration, customer membership systems, seamless payment interconnections, and logistics synergy.
“More than two years after Alibaba’s RMB1 billion deal with Bailian Group, we can finally see some fruits of this collaboration,” observed China-based entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and author Dr Mirko Wormuth, who posted these accompanying photos on LinkedIn.
About two-thirds of the Ego store area is dedicated to fresh or hot products, including coffee, baked bread, and hot meals. The remaining space sells bottled and packaged foods.
The first store in Shanghai is equipped with three self-checkout machines, in addition to Alipay checkout, and encourages consumers to pay by Bailian wallet.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the expected number of Ego stores to open this year, and where has the first one debuted?
What is the expected number of Ego stores to open this year, and where has the first one debuted?
The joint venture plans to open 500 Ego stores this year. The first store has opened and is now trading in Shanghai.
Q.What are the two different store formats planned for the Ego brand, and what are their approximate sizes?
What are the two different store formats planned for the Ego brand, and what are their approximate sizes?
Two formats are planned: larger central stores measuring 300sqm to 500sqm, and smaller satellite stores of about 100sqm.
Q.How will the Ego stores integrate the expertise of both Alibaba and Bailian Group?
How will the Ego stores integrate the expertise of both Alibaba and Bailian Group?
Analysts suggest the Ego format will combine Alibaba Group's back-end expertise with Bailian's brick-and-mortar convenience experience. They aim to use big data and internet technologies for supply chain, membership, payments, and logistics.
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