Tmall

Tmall (also known as 天猫 in Chinese) is a Chinese online retail platform operated by Alibaba Group. It functions as a business-to-consumer (B2C) marketplace that enables brands and authorized retailers to sell directly to Chinese consumers. Unlike Taobao, which is primarily a consumer-to-consumer site with open listings, Tmall hosts official flagship stores and brand-authorized shops, offering a curated shopping experience and assurances of authenticity.

Tmall originated in 2008 as Taobao Mall, rebranded in 2010 to clearly differentiate it from Taobao’s C2C marketplace. Over the years it has become a major channel for both domestic and international brands seeking a presence in China, supported by Alibaba's logistics and payments infrastructure.

Key features include merchant verification and brand authorization, standardized storefronts, consumer protections, and integrated payments through Alipay. Logistics are supported by Cainiao Network, enabling nationwide delivery and delivery speed options. Mobile shopping via Tmall’s apps is a primary channel for many users.

In addition to its standard Tmall platform, Alibaba operates Tmall Global, a cross-border e-commerce service that allows international brands to reach Chinese consumers without a local entity, and Tmall Supermarket for groceries. Tmall is a central part of Alibaba’s e-commerce ecosystem and one of China’s largest online retail platforms, competing with other large retailers and e-commerce portals in the country.

References to Tmall in the media describe it as a premier platform for brand-owned stores, offering scale, trust, and a range of marketing tools such as advertising and data analytics within Alibaba's ecosystem.