Alibaba is the opposite of frictionless – and it worked for its 2019 Singles’ Day

Singles' Day 2019, akin to Cyber Monday or Black Friday in the US, has raked in more cash in the bank than 2018 and hit US$38.4 billion in gross merchandise volume worldwide, though the GMV number doesn't tell the complete story.

ICYMI, Alibaba generated a staggering US$38.4 billion in online gross merchandise value (GMV) on this year’s 11.11, up 26% year-on-year, partly fueled by the countdown gala hosted by Alibaba’s video arm Youku featuring performances from Taylor Swift (pictured below), Kana Hanazawa, and Aida Garifullina.

The calculation of GMV is hazy as it includes shipping charges paid by buyers to sellers, and doubts abound about the actual total after factoring in returns or cancellations. This is Alibaba’s explanation, extracted from its last annual report: “As a prudential matter aimed at eliminating any influence on our GMV of potentially fraudulent transactions, we...

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