Report: Chinese online retailer Alibaba to launch U.S. website

Beijing – Chinese e-commerce retailer Alibaba is reportedly planning to open a U.S. e-commerce website through its subsidiaries Vendio and Auctiva. According to Reuters, the site will operate at 11main.com.



Currently, the homepage of the 11main.com site has the message: “Shop owners are unpacking and getting settled. Our doors will open soon.” Retailers interested in selling goods on the 11main site can click a link that takes them to informational pages. Selling on 11main is by invitation only. Alibaba offers a similar service in China where retailers can operate online microstores within the Alibaba site. Many major U.S. retailers operate Alibaba microsites.



Alibaba is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering, which Reuters estimates would be valued around $140 billion, and also recently led a $200 million investment round in U.S. e-commerce retailer ShopRunner Inc. and established a U.S. investment division. The company purchased the Vendio and Auctiva businesses, which assist businesses in selling goods on third-party e-commerce sites, in 2010.



In an email to Reuters, an Alibaba spokesperson said Alibaba is happy to support 11Main.