AliExpress, which welcomed U.S. merchants onto its platform for the first time in October 2024 with the launch of its AliExpressLocal Direct program, has introduced the AliExpressLocal Marketplace model, along with advanced integration tools designed to enhance flexibility and operational abilities for local sellers.
Sellers now have two ways to leverage the platform:
- AliExpressLocal Marketplace is a self-serve model that offers U.S. merchants greater flexibility in determining the pricing, marketing and merchandising of their products. Merchants will have access to sales and traffic data, the ability to create personalized post-purchase emails and full control over the minimum advertised price (MAP);
- AliExpressLocal Direct, for merchants seeking hands-on assistance from AliExpress, will offer marketing and merchandising services at no additional cost along with tools for price management and customer support.
Both models offer a three-month free trial, a 1:1 onboarding process and launch assistance as well as essential tools for inventory management and order fulfillment.
New Integration and Operations Tools
AliExpress also is debuting two application types based on sellers’ developer qualifications: AliExpress Open API and Third-Party Software Vendor (ISV). These tools enable SaaS platforms to integrate directly with AliExpress, enabling merchants to automate product listings, receive real-time inventory updates, make pricing adjustments and better navigate order management and fulfillment tracking.
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One global ecommerce company that is building and empowering AI shopping agents, BorderX Lab, chose the Marketplace model and is using the Open API solution. “We chose the Marketplace model because it offered the most flexibility for managing our pricing and marketing strategy, while still benefiting from AliExpress’ infrastructure and customer service support,” said Albert Shen, CEO of BorderX Lab in a statement. “The API integration has been instrumental in enabling us to efficiently upload thousands of product listings.”
“As we celebrate AliExpress’ 15th anniversary, we’re thrilled to continue innovating and expanding opportunities for local sellers in the U.S.,” said Chris Carl, Head of Market at AliExpress U.S. in a statement. “The new Marketplace model and integration tools reflect our ongoing commitment to flexibility, ease of use and empowering businesses to reach our diverse and rapidly growing customer base.”
