Alibaba is at it again, this time partnering with Brightpearl – a multichannel retail management system that was created by retailers, for retailers – that will allow merchants using Brightpearl to not only source goods from Alibaba.com, but to also list them automatically on their own sales channels, as well.
Brightpearl helps independent retailers and wholesalersaccelerate their growth and profits. Our retail ERP software enables them to manage the heart of their business by combining purchasing, multi-channel sales, stock control, CRM, accounting and reporting into a single cloud-based system,” shares James Scott, President of Brightpearl USA. Expanding on this, Scott adds that, “it’s a well known fact that a retailer’s ability to make profit is determined when they buy the product, not when it’s sold. Whereas the selling price is determined by the market, the product cost is determined by when, where and how they source from vendors.”
Keeping this in mind, small businesses are not always successful at utilizing technology to help them maximize their supply chain efficiency and overall success. Brightpearl, however, believes that supply chain improvements are a massive opportunity for independent retailers – which is why their recently announced partnership with Alibaba is so exciting.
This is the first of several initiatives with Alibaba that we’re working on to help our customers reduce the cost of sourcing products,” shares Scott.

On June 8th, 2015, Brightpearl signed a collaboration agreement with Alibaba.com, the leading platform for global wholesale trade owned by the Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA). This agreement allows Brightpearl clients access to products listed on one of the largest online B2B marketplaces in the world, as well as many other perks designed to enhance their operations, sales and overall merchant success. Scott Hill, Product Manager at Brightpearl, shares an interesting point, as well, that small business owners shouldn’t overlook.
Our research has shown that in areas like apparel, consumer electronics, jewelry, beauty and personal care, Alibaba.com wholesale supplier prices are typically up to 30 percent more cost effective. By teaming up with Alibaba.com, we’re able to better support our merchants. The system not only allows them to view and search for products directly with Brightpearl, it also automatically enters data such as product name and supplier information – eliminating the need for rekeying,” Hill states.
HANOVER, GERMANY – MARCH 16: Alibaba Group Executive Chairman Jack Ma attends the 2015 CeBIT technology trade fair on March 16, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Additional details of this new collaboriation are identified below:
  • Brightpearl merchants will be able source products directly from Alibaba.com and then filter search results by price range and minimum order quantity.
  • Brightpearl merchants will have access to all pertinent information (e.g. product details; supplier information; packaging and shipping information), and be able to directly access the listing on Alibaba.com Wholesale via Brightpearl to negotiate and purchase from the supplier.
  • Once a purchase has been made, the product name, supplier details and a link to the product page will be automatically recorded within Brightpearl.
From Alibaba.com’s Perspective
It’s no secret that Alibaba.com is positioning itself to be the best at what it does – which is why it’s no surprise new partnerships continue to be announced. Bigcommerce, a leading eCommerce platform, announced in April 2015 their own partnership, and more and more partnerships can be expected when it comes to partnering up with Alibaba.com.
It is our mission to help small and medium businesses succeed and benefit from cross-border trade. Our collaboration with Brightpearl is an extension of our plans to help SMEs source products more efficiently, enabling them to make time and cost savings that will really contribute to the growth of their business. Merchants can use ‘Source from Alibaba.com’ with confidence based on the knowledge that every order includes Alibaba.com’s Secure Payment service, meaning their payment will only be released to the supplier once they confirm delivery,” said Wei Duan, International Business Development and Marketing Director, EMEA Alibaba.com.
With Brightpearl users now able to easily access Alibaba.com, store owners can finally do what they love… as explained by Brightpearl’s James Scott.
Merchants gain confidence in having their core operations under control so that they can focus on what they love – merchandising and growing their business.” 
It sounds almost too good to be true… however for merchants savvy enough to get on the Alibaba.com bandwagon – ease, efficiency and success are becoming more and more realistic everyday.