The strategies retailers must prioritise to win online spend

AliExpress launched with the ambition of redefining online shopping by offering consumers greater choice, value and accessibility.  

Celebrating its 15th anniversary milestone and recognition as one of the top 10 ecommerce retailers globally as featured in Retail Week’s recent report, we reflect on this journey and consider how ecommerce retailers must continue to evolve to meet the needs of UK consumers.  

Retailers must commit to delivering exceptional value for both consumers, and in the case of marketplaces, partners, to drive ecommerce growth in the year ahead. Here are the three core pillars AliExpress is prioritising.

1. Affordability 

Nearly three-quarters (69%) of consumers said they are seeking better value for money in 2025, according to a January 2025 survey of 2,000 UK respondents, conducted by AliExpress and Censuswide.  

To best engage consumers, retailers must prioritise their value offering and the way this is effectively communicated to shoppers.  

AliExpress remains committed to providing unparalleled value for money. By collaborating closely with manufacturers and sellers, including UK local brands and retailers, we can offer competitive pricing and exclusive deals. Retailers taking this approach ensures that UK shoppers can find the products they need without breaking the bank.  

Many consumers are making the switch to marketplaces to ensure they can find these value offerings. In the same research study, 51% of shoppers surveyed said they’ll choose to spend on marketplaces in 2025.  

One of the initiatives driving conversions for AliExpress, and savings for shoppers, is ‘Big Save’. 

Consumers find ‘Big Save’ deals through dedicated marketing promotions on the AliExpress website or app, leading them to browse discounted products across a variety of verticals.

More than 95% of participating vendors in Big Save have exceeded $1m (£771,905) sales on the platform, highlighting the initiative’s success. This year AliExpress plans to help 1,000 more brands globally reach this figure.  

2. Efficiency 

On average, Brits spend nearly five hours a week browsing and researching products online, and efficiencies across inventory management, warehousing and fulfilment become a key priority for retailers once those shoppers click ‘buy’. 

For consumers, we know that speed and reliability are vital. Retailers must, like AliExpress, continue to invest in logistics networks to minimise delivery times and meet increasingly demanding customer expectations.

Strengthening local supply is another key aspect of this strategy, facilitating faster delivery of products from local retailers and warehouses. The UK market has always been a priority for AliExpress, and we’ve invested significantly in understanding and catering to local preferences.

As with many retailers, AliExpress is also prioritising development of new technologies, such as AI-powered search and personalised feed to make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.

3. Customer satisfaction

Creating a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience should be at the core of all retailers’ commitments to customer satisfaction.  

At AliExpress this involves features and interactions that make browsing and purchasing easy and enjoyable for shoppers. Offerings such as free shipping and returns, a strong customer support team and the implementation of new tools to resolve issues quickly and efficiently are just some of the strategies driving customer satisfaction for us.

Also critical to AliExpress’ success is the ability to quicky respond to evolving consumer demands. As Retail Week’s data from the most recent Black Friday weekend shows, AliExpress was one of Brits’ favourite Black Friday retailers and is increasingly becoming a go-to destination for UK shoppers seeking value and convenience.

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, the vision for AliExpress in the UK market centres around ongoing innovation and partnership.

We seek collaborations with local brands and businesses and welcome local sellers to join us. More than merely a global marketplace, AliExpress aims to be a dedicated ally to UK consumers and retailers, with a focus on strengthening local supply chains, enriching product offerings and shortening delivery times. 

With the recognition in the 2025 Global Ecommerce Report as one of the top 10 ecommerce retailers worldwide, there is renewed energy surrounding the opportunities that lie ahead. We’re here to stay, and we’re here to help shape the future of e-commerce.