#Laogao E-commerce Newsletter# [E-commerce Morning News on January 19]

Morning News: Aladdin Research Institute: The DAU of WeChat mini program in 2021 exceeded 450 million; Microsoft announced the acquisition of Activision Blizzard for US$68.7 billion; Alipay's 2022 episode of Five Blessings event officially started today; Hangzhou Taobao Marketing Management Company's legal representative changed Liu Yizhou replaced Qi Junsheng...

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E-commerce newsletter

1. In 2021, Xinjiang's express delivery business volume reached approximately 160 million pieces and revenue exceeded 3.7 billion yuan.

Specifically, data shows that in 2021, the business volume of Xinjiang express service enterprises reached 161.8577 million pieces, a year-on-year increase of 40.92%; the business revenue reached 3.763 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 24.37%. Among them, the cumulative business volume of the same city was 29.3388 million, a year-on-year increase of 28.21%; the cumulative business volume of the off-site business volume reached 132.0869 million, a year-on-year increase of 46.35%; the cumulative business volume of the international and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan was 432,000, a year-on-year decrease of 74.95%. (E-commerce News)

2. Alipay 2022 Five Blessings Event officially kicks off today

According to January 19, the 2022 Alipay Five Blessings Collection Activity officially started today. The Five Blessings Collection Activity is from 00:00 on January 19, 2022 to 22:00 on January 31. It is reported that the biggest difference this year is that Wufu is fully open to merchants, and more than 1,000 merchants will become the protagonists, and will issue fat cards to users across the country through their Alipay mini-programs, life accounts, apps and other private domain positions. It is worth noting that data shows that the cumulative number of people participating in Alipay's five blessings in the past six years has exceeded 700 million, and one out of every two Chinese has swept, gathered, and delivered blessings. (E-commerce News)

3. Shentong Express becomes the first batch of partners in the construction of the "Yangtze River Delta Digital Trunk Line"

The meeting held the launch ceremony of the "Partner Action" for the construction of digital trunk lines in the Yangtze River Delta. Shanghai Shenxue Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., a national high-tech enterprise under Shentong Express, and more than 50 companies including NetEase and Midea, jointly became the first batch of partners. It is understood that the digital trunk line in the Yangtze River Delta refers to an innovation chain and industrial chain that originated in Qingpu District, Shanghai. It takes the digital economy as its origin and relies on the G50 main corridor to build a close cooperation with cities along the route. (E-commerce News)

4. Zhejiang: By 2025, the province's international "postal and express cross-border" channel will be increased to more than 20 items

According to January 18, recently, the General Office of the Zhejiang Provincial Government issued the "Opinions on Accelerating the Development of International Air Cargo". It is necessary to build a global international route network and improve international air cargo routes. Hangzhou Airport will encrypt flights to international air cargo hub airports such as Liege, Belgium, Moscow, Russia, and open more than 5 intercontinental all-cargo flights, including Europe and the Americas. The province has gradually built a global 72-hour air cargo backbone route network with horizontal dislocation, vertical division of labor, domestic access, and global reach. (E-commerce News)

Cross-border newsletter

5. JD.com becomes Shopify's first strategic partner in China

On January 18, JD.com announced that it had reached a strategic cooperation with Internet infrastructure provider Shopify, becoming Shopify's first strategic partner in China. It is reported that the strategic cooperation between JD.com and Shopify is aimed at helping more Chinese merchants access Shopify's e-commerce infrastructure, jointly establish an independent DTC site for the global market, and use Shopify's localized operation capabilities to achieve efficient overseas sales around the world. In addition, JD.com provides a green channel for JD.com's cross-border import platform for Shopify merchants. (E-commerce News)

6. Egyptian e-commerce startup ExpandCart receives US$2.7 million in pre-B round financing

On January 18, ExpandCart, an e-commerce platform developer based in Cairo, Egypt, received a pre-B round of financing of US$2.7 million, led by Hong Kong-based Betatron Venture Group, with existing investors Sawari Ventures and Agility Ventures participating. According to data, ExpandCart was founded in 2016 and is an e-commerce platform construction company. It currently serves 25,000 merchants in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait and the UAE. It is understood that the new round of financing will drive ExpandCart's growth in the existing market, while focusing on maximizing R&D, technology building and new products, such as their new conversational business chatbot solution ExpandBot. (E-commerce News)

7. Vietnamese social e-commerce platform Mio receives US$8 million in Series A financing

On January 18, Vietnamese social e-commerce platform Mio announced on Tuesday that it had received a US$8 million Series A financing. This round was led by Jungle Ventures, Patama Capital and Oliver Jung. Existing investors GGV, Venturra Discovery, Hustle Fund, iSEED SEA and Gokul Rajaram also participated in this round of financing. Mio said the company will use new funds to expand its fulfillment system, improve its logistics and supply chain capabilities, and expand its business to new regions in Vietnam. According to data, Mio was established in June 2020. It is a group buying platform that provides fresh agricultural products and groceries for second- and third-tier cities in Vietnam. It has established a logistics infrastructure and can provide consumers with next-day delivery services. (E-commerce News)

Internet Information

8. Microsoft announces $68.7 billion in acquisition of Activision Blizzard

On January 19th, on the 18th, a statement was issued that Activision Blizzard would be priced at $95 per share, with a total cash transaction value of $68.7 billion. It is calculated that the acquisition has a premium of about 45%, and the equity is worth about US$74 billion. The deal has been approved by Microsoft and Activision Blizzard Boards. After the transaction is completed, Microsoft will become the third largest gaming company in the world after Sony. Activision Blizzard’s games include Call of Duty, Legend, Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and Hearthstone. Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft, said, "Games will play a key role in the development of the metaverse platform." (Cailianshe)

9. The legal representative of Hangzhou Taobao Marketing Management Company changed Liu Yizhou replaced Qi Junsheng

According to news on January 18, Tianyan Check information showed that recently, Hangzhou Taobao Marketing Management Co., Ltd. had an industrial and commercial change, and Qi Junsheng withdrew from the position of legal representative, executive director and general manager of the company and was replaced by Liu Yizhou. Hangzhou Taobao Marketing Management Co., Ltd. was established in November 2017 with a registered capital of RMB 40 million. Its business scope includes corporate marketing planning, corporate management consulting, catering services, etc. Shareholder information shows that the company is wholly owned by Alibaba (China) Network Technology Co., Ltd. (E-commerce News)

10. Aladdin Research Institute: The DAU of WeChat mini program exceeds 450 million in 2021

On January 18, the Aladdin Research Institute recently officially released the "2021 Mini Program Internet Development White Paper". According to data disclosed by WeChat Open Class Pro in 2022, the transaction volume of mini programs in the retail, tourism and catering industry increased by more than 100% year-on-year in 2021, and the number of mini programs with transactions increased by 28% year-on-year. The ideal of "making mini programs within reach and everywhere" is moving towards real scene step by step. (E-commerce News)