Sourcing products is one of the most critical pillars of any ecommerce business. Reliable suppliers, predictable costs, and consistent product quality shape everything from your pricing strategy to your customer experience.
To help retailers navigate this complex process, we partnered with WorldFirst, a leading global payments provider, to share practical guidance on sourcing products from one of the world’s most influential wholesale marketplaces: Alibaba.
Below, we break down the essentials of sourcing safely and efficiently, and highlight how Aero supports retailers through a fast, flexible, and scalable ecommerce platform.
The rise of Alibaba in global ecommerce
Alibaba has grown into one of the world’s largest wholesale ecosystems, connecting millions of buyers with suppliers across the globe. Latest available stats on Alibaba.com show:
For retailers, Alibaba represents an enormous opportunity, provided they understand how to assess suppliers, validate product quality, and secure payments safely.
As WorldFirst explains:
“Alibaba has transformed global sourcing by giving retailers access to an enormous network of suppliers. The key is knowing how to identify the right partners and protect your transactions.”
Verifying suppliers: badges, trust signals, and communication
Alibaba provides several built-in trust signals to help buyers assess whether a supplier is legitimate and reliable.
Key profile badges include:
Verified Supplier – audited by a third-party inspection company
Gold Supplier – paid membership signalling increased accountability
Trade Assurance – eligibility for secure, protected payment terms
These badges should be your first step in assessing potential partners.
However, nothing replaces direct communication. Speak with suppliers to understand:
Minimum order quantities (MOQ)
Customisation options
Production timelines
Pricing tiers
Packaging and labelling requirements
WorldFirst adds:
“Strong communication is often the difference between a smooth sourcing process and a logistical nightmare. Serious suppliers will always answer detailed questions openly.”
Protecting your transactions with Trade Assurance
Trade Assurance is Alibaba’s built-in protection service and one of the safest ways to make payments on the platform.
Trade Assurance covers:
Product quality discrepancies
Shipping delays
Refund eligibility if the supplier fails agreed terms
This gives retailers confidence when working with overseas suppliers, particularly when ordering for the first time.
WorldFirst emphasises:
“Using Trade Assurance significantly reduces risk for retailers. If a supplier fails to meet your agreed standards, you have a clear route to resolution.”
Ordering samples: the non-negotiable step
Before committing to bulk orders, always request samples.
Samples allow you to:
Verify product quality
Check colours, sizes, and materials
Confirm consistency across batches
Assess packaging
Evaluate professionalism
Some suppliers will charge full retail price for samples, while others offer them at a reduced rate, or even free for serious buyers.
Skipping this step is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes retailers make.
Key considerations when buying from Alibaba
While Alibaba offers huge advantages, retailers must be aware of the practical considerations that come with international sourcing.
Common challenges include:
Longer shipping and production lead times
Potential customs fees or import taxes
Communication across time zones
Variation in product and manufacturing standards
MOQ requirements that may not suit every retailer
Choosing the safest payment methods
For safer transactions, avoid direct bank transfers and instead consider using secure payment channels, such as:
Trade Assurance payments (Escrow)
AliPay (via Alibaba’s platform)
WorldFirst global payment solutions for cross-border transfers
These options provide transaction visibility, buyer protection and compliance, critical components of safe sourcing.
How Aero supports high-performing ecommerce businesses
Sourcing the right products is the first step. A high-performance platform is the next.
Aero works closely with agencies, partners, and retailers to provide the technical foundation ecommerce businesses need after sourcing their products.
With Aero, retailers benefit from:
Lightning-fast performance: Faster stores convert better, crucial when selling competitive sourced products.
Flexible integrations: Connect stock, shipping, order management, and payment solutions without restrictions.
Scalable architecture: Grow your catalogue, increase traffic, or expand into new markets without performance dips.
Agency and partner ecosystem support: Our network includes agencies who specialise in international retail, global payments, and platform integrations, including WorldFirst.
Ready to build a fast, scalable ecommerce store?
Whether you're planning your first sourced product or scaling up, Aero gives retailers and agencies the flexibility, performance, and support needed to grow.
Get in touch with the Aero team today to book a demo and see the platform in action.
