China’s Alibaba.com debuts U.S. e-commerce site

San Mateo, Calif. – Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group is debuting its U.S. e-commerce site, 11Main.com, with a beta rollout on Wednesday, June 11. The home page of the invite-only website says “We’re opening soon — our shop owners are getting unpacked and unsettled,” and has an online invite request option. (Alibaba has filed for an initial public offering in the United States, in May.)



The site also allows prospective sellers to request an invite to 11Main, which is headquartered in San Mateo, California. Like its parent company Alibaba, 11Main operates by letting other retailers and businesses sell goods through its platform in exchange for a small portion of the proceeds.



The site is charging a 3.5% fee per transaction and media reports indicate it is launching its beta rollout with 1,000 to 2,000 participating specialty retailers and boutiques from across the U.S. The site currently does not run any ads.



11 Main offers shops in a variety of categories including fashion & style, home & outdoor, jewelry & watches, baby & kids, collecting & art, and crafts, hobbies & toys.



"At 11 Main, we're passionate about the shops we invite and helping them grow," said Mike Effle, president and general manager of 11 Main. "We're constantly introducing new shop owners who represent the diversity of Main Street and featuring their new, amazing products in a beautifully designed experience."