ALIBABA's logistics arms, Cainiao Smart Logistics Network (Cainiao Network) announced that it plans to operate over 700 chartered flights to deliver 90 per cent of its parcels outside China shopping festival on November 11 (11.11).

Cainiao estimates that more than half of these cross-border parcels will see a 60 per cent reduction in delivery time due to smart order consolidation. Customers in key European cities such as Madrid, Paris, Berlin and Warsaw will receive their parcels in as fast as three days. Best-selling products such as sweeping robots, vacuum cleaners and toolboxes are also pre-stocked in Cainiao's overseas warehouses prior to the event.

Cainiao is witnessing growing participation from overseas merchants in the global event. This year, Cainiao will operate over 3,000 chartered flights and long-haul cargo ships bound for China to cater to the growing demand from Chinese consumers. This will bring about a 10 per cent increase in delivery efficiency for goods shipped into China. Over 300 million goods from 84 countries and regions are imported to China via Cainiao's extensive global supply chain network. The most popular imported goods include pet food, healthcare and beauty products.

"In gearing up for 11.11 each year, technology plays a critical role in the successful execution and delivery of billions of e-commerce parcels worldwide. Today, 90 per cent of our parcels are tagged with electronic shipping labels and this has fast become a de facto industry standard to achieve full visibility. This year, we will be marrying cutting-edge technology with a world-class logistics network to create a truly global infrastructure that can bolster the eCommerce boom," says James Zhao, general manager, Cainiao Network.

11.11 is the largest online shopping event globally and has consistently set new sales record year on year. Last year the gross merchandise value reached US$38.3 billion, double that of Black Friday ($7.4 billion) and Cyber Monday ($9.4 billion) combined.