Ali baba to launch U.S e-commerce website on Wednesday

Chinese e-commerce company Ali baba Group Holding Ltd is launching its first U.S. direct-to-consumer online shop on Wednesday.


The website will operate as a marketplace similar to Ali baba's China-based T. Mall, which offers virtual store fronts to merchants who set their own prices and handle their own logistics for nearly everything but payments, the newspaper reported.


The website, 11 Main.com, was showing an "opening soon" message early on Wednesday. "Our shop owners are currently unpacking and getting settled," the site said. Ali baba spokeswoman Florence Shih directed queries to representatives of 11 Main, who did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.


Reuters reported in February that Ali baba was set to launch its U.S. e-commerce website through its subsidiaries Vendio and Auctiva. Ali baba's planned U.S. initial public offering has stirred the most excitement on Wall Street since Face book’s record IPO in 2012. Ali baba will become the largest Chinese corporation to list in the United States.