1. The Business Analyst's "Secret Weapon"
Eva, a junior analyst, needed to write a report on "Consumer Trends in Lower-Tier Cities in China."
Third-party consulting reports were either based on estimates or cost 5,000.
"Where can I find real, free, and authoritative transaction data analysis?"
Her mentor sent her a link: aliresearch.com.
"Stop searching randomly. Half of China's e-commerce happens on Alibaba. Their reports are the wind vane of the market."
Eva downloaded a "New Consumer Trends" report. It was packed with granular data on "County-level Consumption" and "Gen-Z Profiles," all derived from anonymized real transaction data—and it was free.
2. Core Value: Backed by the Giant
AliResearch isn't just a media outlet; it is the Think Tank backed by the entire Alibaba Ecosystem (Taobao, Tmall, Alibaba Cloud, Cainiao).
1. Defining "Taobao Villages"
If you research Rural Economics or Poverty Alleviation in China, AliResearch is the authority. They coined and tracked the "Taobao Village" phenomenon. Their annual reports are cited by academics and policymakers worldwide.
2. The Theory Behind "New Retail"
Jack Ma coined "New Retail," but AliResearch fleshed out the theory. If you want to understand the logic behind C2M (Consumer to Manufacturer), DTC, or O2O in China, this is the source.
3. Real Consumer Insights
Unlike survey data (which measures intent), AliResearch measures Transactions (real money spent).
- Example: During Double 11, which province bought the most down jackets? Do Gen-Zers buy more cat food or baby formula? The insights are incredibly precise.
3. How to Use It Efficiently
1. Report Download
- Go to the [Reports] section.
- Filter by topics: "Digital Tech", "Consumption Upgrade", "Rural Revitalization".
- Tip: Most reports are free PDFs. Build your own library of them.
2. Alibaba Review
- This section features articles by Alibaba executives (like Daniel Zhang) on future trends. It's great for understanding the Platform Economy.
3. Data Indices
- Look for indices like the "E-commerce Development Index." These are perfect for backing up arguments in pitch decks or academic papers.
4. Pros and Cons
| Feature | Pros | Cons | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authenticity | Very High, based on real GMV data | "Alibaba Lens" is inevitable | Use data, verify opinions |
| Depth | Combines theory with real cases | Updates depend on PR cycles | Watch for annual reports |
| Cost | Free | None | Great for budget research |
| Scope | Best for Retail/E-commerce/Policy | Less coverage of WeChat/Douyin | Combine with other sources |
5. Conclusion
AliResearch is a "High-Power Microscope" for Chinese commerce.
While it carries the corporate brand, given Alibaba's massive share of China's digital economy, its reports represent the pulse of the mainstream market. If you want to see where Chinese consumers are actually spending their money, this is the best observation deck.
下载报告需要付费吗?
基本不需要。大多数深度报告都提供免费 PDF 下载,通常只需要注册一个账号即可。
数据中立吗?
它是阿里巴巴旗下的智库,观点自然侧重于阿里生态(如淘宝、天猫、阿里云)。但鉴于阿里在中国电商的市场份额,其数据对整个行业具有极高的代表性和参考价值。
适合什么人看?
电商从业者、商业分析师、正在写“数字经济”或“乡村振兴”论文的学生,以及关注中国消费趋势的投资者。