 01-Feb-18, Nikkei Asian Review 

"New retail" is Alibaba Group Holding's key buzzword right now. It is already starting to give rise to new business models, from transformed supermarkets and cashierless convenience stores to automated pickup centers and even delivery by drone.

Image: AP / Nikkei Asian Review

Internally, Alibaba uses the term "uni-commerce" to describe these initiatives. The apparent notion is to have consumers interact with brands, merchants and retailers under a single unified consumer identity in both physical and online locations.

Alibaba's other big initiative is "uni-marketing." This brings together all of Alibaba's data about a consumer from its e-commerce, social media, entertainment and other services. In effect, it is the secret engine of new retail.

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