Alibaba.com is a **global B2B (business-to-business) e-commerce marketplace** owned by the Alibaba Group. It connects **manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers (mainly from countries like China, India, and others)** with **buyers and businesses around the world** who want to purchase products in bulk. The platform was launched in 1999 and is one of the largest wholesale trading websites globally.
The website works as a **sourcing platform**, meaning businesses can:
* Find suppliers for products in almost every category (electronics, clothing, machinery, home goods, etc.)
* Compare manufacturers and prices
* Place bulk or wholesale orders directly
* Communicate with suppliers and request custom manufacturing (OEM/ODM)
Unlike retail websites like Amazon, Alibaba.com is mainly used for **wholesale trade and international business sourcing**, not individual consumer shopping.
The platform hosts **millions of products and suppliers across 190+ countries**, making it a major hub for global trade and manufacturing supply chains.
**Simple summary:**
Alibaba.com is a **global wholesale marketplace** where businesses buy and sell products in bulk, connecting international buyers with manufacturers and suppliers for sourcing goods at large scale.