Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises Are Hopeful About the Future

SME Market Outlook: Key Insights 

• SME Optimism: A recent survey reveals that 69% of SMEs are feeling more confident about their growth prospects, with 45% planning to introduce new product lines and 52% turning to online B2B marketplaces for sourcing innovation.

• Alibaba’s Strong September Performance: Alibaba is tapping into this SME optimism with its Super September trade show, which recorded a 69% jump in orders, alongside its CoCreate conference, aimed at fostering innovation and supporting small business growth.

Expanding globally, Alibaba remains heavily reliant on China, while driving international growth through AI-powered sourcing tools and new payment options like WeChat Pay. 

The company’s efforts to diversify, such as launching English on Taobao and adjusting merchant fees, aim to boost global sales and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). 

A new survey commissioned by Alibaba reveals how SMEs feel about the future of the market. The results are rather optimistic. 

Positive Market Outlook, Innovation
& New Product Lines 

Conducted by Censuswide, the survey included over 2,000 SMEs from France, Germany, the UK, and the U.S. Results show that:

• 69% of SME decision-makers feel more confident about growth opportunities than they did six months ago.

• Additionally, 45% of businesses are planning to launch one or two new product lines within the next year.

• 52% of respondents are turning to online B2B marketplaces to source innovative products. 

This uptick in confidence signals a shift in how SMEs are embracing digital channels for sourcing products and driving business growth.

Alongside the survey findings, Alibaba.com is capitalizing on this growing optimism through its Super September online trade show.

Alibaba is Having a Good September 

Alibaba’s Super September saw a 69% year-on-year increase in orders during its first week. The virtual event connects 48 million buyers with 200,000 suppliers worldwide, providing SMEs easy access to innovative products and technology.

September has also been a big month for Alibaba.com with the second annual CoCreate conference, held in Las Vegas. Over 1,900 attendees took part in expert-led sessions and master classes designed to help SMEs streamline global trade, with a particular focus on innovation and margin growth.

Sources: Alizila, ECDB