Suntory partners with Alibaba in China

Japan’s leading beverage company, Suntory, is partnering with China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba group to sell whisky and other liquors in mainland China.

Suntory has opened a store on Alibaba through its group member, Beam Suntory which is currently selling Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Courvoisier, Hibiki and Yamazaki.

On China’s ‘singles day’, which traditionally falls on November 11 each year to offer reduced sales to people without a partner, Alibaba raised $25.3bn in sales in 24 hours.

According to a report by Vinexpo and IWSR, by 2020, sales of spirits in China are forecast to reach 1.2bn, 9-litre cases.