Photo credit: Moncler

This week, down apparel maker Moncler celebrated its 70th anniversary with a special edition of its Maya coat, available in an exclusive yellow shade only on Alibaba Group’s high-end B2C marketplace Tmall Luxury Pavilion.

In other news, the group’s logistics branch Cainiao Network launched a new freight route in partnership with American airline Atlas Air that will go through Columbia to serve consumers in Latin America.

And in Europe, Alibaba’s cloud computing platform Alibaba Cloud has joined forces with e-commerce shipping provider ViaEurope to strengthen their smart logistics offerings this week.

Moncler Marks 70th Birthday with Limited Edition Coat 

Italian luxury outerwear brand Moncler rang in its 70th anniversary this week with a limited edition of its iconic Maya puffer modeled by Chinese singer and actor Wang Yibo.

The down-filled coat is available in 13 colors globally, with an additional yellow shade available only on Alibaba’s luxury e-commerce platform Tmall Luxury Pavilion.

The Milanese brand made its full debut this week following a soft launch on the platform earlier this year.

High-end outerwear offerings will be in hot demand during this year’s 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, according to the platform, as Chinese consumers look to stay warm in style.

Cainiao Launches Freight Route to Columbia

Alibaba’s logistics platform Cainiao unveiled its first freight route between Hong Kong and Bogota, Columbia, this week in partnership with New York-based cargo airline Atlas Air. 

Each flight, capable of transferring up to 133 tonnes of goods, will transit through Miami International Airport en route to its South American destination.

The new route will increase delivery times in the region by 76%, according to Cainiao, and the company plans to include transit stops in Sao Paulo, Brazil, going forward to shorten flight times.

Alibaba Cloud Powers Smart Logistics on ViaEurope

Alibaba Cloud has partnered with e-commerce delivery platform ViaEurope to roll out an intelligent cross-border logistics service between Greater China and Europe.

ViaEurope bridges different stages of the e-commerce logistics chain through technology, from shipping and billing to VAT and last-mile delivery; the latest tie-up will allow it to serve European merchants needing these services in China.

“The joint smart logistics solution is designed to provide European customers with a reliable and cost-effective option for tackling today’s e-commerce logistics challenges,” said Raymond Ma, General Manager of Europe, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, in a statement.

The Amsterdam-based business operates three warehouses in the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary.

Less is More: Italian Luxury Designer Brunello Cucinelli on Why His Products Have No Logos

China’s young luxury shoppers are taking a “less is more” approach to dressing, and premium cashmere brand Brunello Cuccinelli is showing them how.

Some of China’s affluent shoppers are leaving flashy brands and clothes covered in logos squarely in the past, according to market research company The NPD Group, in favor of simple and quality pieces.

“I always believed in a product without logos. And I’ve always had a love for clothing and for this idea of being young, fresh, chic and contemporary,” said the brand’s eponymous founder in an interview with Alizila.

Get the full scoop on Alizila’s conversations with Brunello Cuccinelli here

Sweden’s Filippa K Enters China With Launch on Alibaba’s Tmall

Scandinavian fashion house Filippa K has entered China by launching on Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Tmall, which connects businesses with over a billion consumers.

The brand believes its commitment to sustainable fashion, by using organic fibers and promoting animal welfare, will help it appeal to Chinese consumers. 

“The house has a unique position within high-end fashion, offering a distinctly Scandinavian design perspective that’s rooted in sustainability,” Filippa K’s CEO Rikard Frost said in a statement about the brand’s entry into China.

Filippa K’s international push comes as the climate crisis weighs on purchasing decisions worldwide. A recent survey found that 90% of Chinese consumers already know the importance of sustainable shopping.

Read more here

Alibaba’s Tmall Global General Manager Lynn Dong on the Power of Cross-Border Retail

Tmall Global is on a mission to empower global brands entering China, General Manager Lynn Dong shared with Alizila in a recent interview.

It’s one of the key drivers of China’s consumer market,” said Dong, who joined Alibaba in 2013 as a founding member of the cross-border marketplace.

Tmall Global has helped around 40,000 international brands launch in China to date, including more than 6,400 businesses in 2021 alone, and continues to refine its offerings for merchants of all sizes.

Learn more here