Alibaba invests in China’s YCloset
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Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has invested for a second time in fashion rental platform YCloset, injecting an undisclosed sum.
The Beijing-based YCloset is set to use to funds plans to expand its current team, upgrade the recommended algorithm system and continue to build its warehouse and cleaning operation centre.
The start-up will also cooperate with Alibaba’s used goods platform and social media outlet Xian Yu.
This is the second time Alibaba has closed on an investment round in YCloset. The first, back in September 2017, saw Alibaba join fellow investors SB China Capital and Sequoia Capital to complete a $50 million series C round in the start-up.
Founded in 2015, YCloset charges users a monthly subscription fees (RMB499 or US$72.3) to rent clothes and accessories, and stocks hundreds of fashion and luxury brands such as Kenzo, Acne Studios and Self-Portrait.
It claims to have more than 15 million registered users across 40 cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
The news follows Alibaba’s ceding control of its Russian business to form a new venture with a state fund and two technology firms, and news that chairman Jack Ma plans retire in September 2019.
Alibaba’s revenue rose 61% to 80.9 billion yuan ($11.77 billion) in the April-June period.
Questions & Answers
Q.What will YCloset use the new investment funds for?
What will YCloset use the new investment funds for?
YCloset plans to expand its team, upgrade its recommended algorithm system, and further develop its warehouse and cleaning operation centre. It will also work with Alibaba's Xian Yu platform.
Q.When was Alibaba's first investment in YCloset?
When was Alibaba's first investment in YCloset?
Alibaba first invested in YCloset in September 2017. They joined SB China Capital and Sequoia Capital in a $50 million series C funding round at that time.
Q.How many registered users does YCloset claim to have?
How many registered users does YCloset claim to have?
YCloset claims to have more than 15 million registered users. These users are spread across 40 cities in China, including major centres like Beijing and Shanghai.
Q.What is the monthly subscription fee for YCloset?
What is the monthly subscription fee for YCloset?
YCloset charges users a monthly subscription fee of RMB499, which is equivalent to US$72.3. This fee allows users to rent clothes and accessories from their stock.
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