Alibaba investing in Sanjiang Shopping Club

Chinese eCommerce giant Alibaba Group Holding plans to invest 2.1 billion yuan (US$305 million) in supermarket chain Sanjiang Shopping Club.

Sanjiang’s share were suspended by the Shanghai stock exchange on November 8, with trading resuming today.

Under the terms of the deal, according to stock-exchange filings, Alibaba will subscribe to a private placement in Sanjiang, giving it about a 25 per cent stake.

Sanjiang also plans to issue up to 188 million yuan worth of exchangeable bonds to Alibaba, which will also acquire another 9.3 per cent stake for 438.6 million yuan via a share transfer, says Sanjiang. This will take Alibaba’s stake to 32 per cent, above the 30 per cent threshold where Chinese law says a company must make a full takeover bid in China. Alibaba will need approval from Sanjiang’s shareholders to waive this requirement.

Sanjiang said it aims to use Alibaba’s eCommerce platform as China’s economic growth slows.