Solvay opens flagship e-store with Alibaba

Solvay is celebrating the launch of its online flagship store on Alibaba’s B2B platform 1688.com, in collaboration with the Chinese ecommerce giant. This first e-store represents a key milestone in the multi-specialty chemical Group’s ecommerce ambition.

Solvay has developed a strong ambition to leverage online marketplaces, with a focus on growth and customer centricity. China has been selected as a pilot to test marketplaces "due to its strategic importance and because the country is a good fit for ecommerce due to its fragmented market, and highly developed digital and logistics infrastructure," says Sophie Desormiere, Solvay General Manager Marketing & Sales. "We are proud to announce the opening of our Solvay flagship store on 1688.com starting with our Global Business Units Aroma Performance and Special Chem." 

Jacques Gugliemi, Aroma Performance Vice President & Asia General Manager, explains that "the launch of 1688.com is key in our strategy to develop new sales at fragmented customers and continue to explore new digital go-to-market as part of our omni-channel strategy."

The objective is to complement existing distribution channels to reach target customers more efficiently. For customers, the Solvay 1688.com flagship store will provide a user friendly way to access Solvay products, as well as an opportunity to reduce acquisition costs and benefit from China’s wide logistics services. 

Solvay’s China Ecommerce Team 

A brand’s new experience

"Solvay's flagship store is an opportunity for more end-customers to know and understand the Solvay brand and product portfolio, and benefit from high-standard services with an improved procurement experience, including on mobile devices,” says Yang Meng, Alibaba Co-General Manager of China Business Unit. “At the same time, ecommerce will help Solvay gradually collect more market insights and data so as to better serve target customers and identify new growth opportunities." 

In the first wave, the flagship store displays six SKUs, including vanillin products and catechol and two Cerox polishing agents. The objective is to include more of the Group’s Business Units and products in the coming months to provide a broader online product portfolio and continuously improved customer experience. 

The Solvay Flagship store is available via this link: www.solvaycn.1688.com