Daraz
Southeast Asian e-commerce platform owned by Alibaba Group, operating in multiple countries.
Company Type
public
Founded
2012
Headquarters
Karachi, Pakistan
About Daraz
Who owns Daraz?
Daraz is wholly owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited, a publicly traded Chinese multinational technology and e-commerce company (NYSE: BABA; HKEX: 9988). Alibaba acquired Daraz in May 2018.
Daraz is wholly owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited, a publicly traded Chinese multinational technology and e-commerce company (NYSE: BABA; HKEX: 9988). Alibaba acquired Daraz in May 2018.
Is Daraz publicly traded?
Daraz itself is not publicly traded. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group, which is publicly traded on the NYSE (BABA) and HKEX (9988).
Daraz itself is not publicly traded. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group, which is publicly traded on the NYSE (BABA) and HKEX (9988).
When was Daraz founded?
Daraz was founded in 2012 by Rocket Internet as an online fashion marketplace in Pakistan. The company expanded to Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar in 2015, and was acquired by Alibaba Group in 2018.
Daraz was founded in 2012 by Rocket Internet as an online fashion marketplace in Pakistan. The company expanded to Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar in 2015, and was acquired by Alibaba Group in 2018.
In which countries does Daraz operate?
Daraz currently operates in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The company previously operated in Myanmar but exited that market.
Daraz currently operates in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The company previously operated in Myanmar but exited that market.
What is DarazMall?
DarazMall is a premium section of the Daraz platform featuring verified brand stores and official brand products. Brands that meet Daraz's quality and authenticity standards can operate a DarazMall store, which provides buyers with greater assurance of product authenticity.
DarazMall is a premium section of the Daraz platform featuring verified brand stores and official brand products. Brands that meet Daraz's quality and authenticity standards can operate a DarazMall store, which provides buyers with greater assurance of product authenticity.
How does Daraz make money?
Daraz generates revenue primarily through commissions charged to third-party sellers on each transaction, advertising fees from sellers for sponsored listings and promotional placements, logistics service fees, and financial services fees.
Daraz generates revenue primarily through commissions charged to third-party sellers on each transaction, advertising fees from sellers for sponsored listings and promotional placements, logistics service fees, and financial services fees.
History of Daraz
Daraz was founded in 2012 by Rocket Internet, a German internet company that specializes in building and investing in e-commerce companies in emerging markets. Rocket Internet launched Daraz as an online fashion marketplace in Pakistan, modeled on the success of Zalando in Europe.
The company was initially focused on fashion and apparel, but quickly expanded into other product categories including electronics, home goods, and beauty products. Daraz grew rapidly in Pakistan, establishing itself as the country's leading e-commerce platform.
In 2015, Daraz expanded beyond Pakistan, launching operations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. The expansion was driven by the recognition that South Asia represented a large, underserved e-commerce market with rapidly growing internet and smartphone penetration.
In 2018, Alibaba Group acquired Daraz from Rocket Internet and other investors. The acquisition was part of Alibaba's strategy to expand its international e-commerce footprint, particularly in high-growth emerging markets. The acquisition gave Alibaba a leading position in South Asian e-commerce and provided Daraz with access to Alibaba's technology, logistics, and financial resources.
Following the acquisition, Daraz integrated Alibaba's technology infrastructure, including Alibaba's cloud computing platform, payment systems, and logistics technology. The company also benefited from Alibaba's expertise in running large-scale e-commerce marketplaces.
Daraz has grown significantly since the Alibaba acquisition, expanding its seller base, product catalog, and logistics network. The company has invested in building its own logistics infrastructure, including warehouses and last-mile delivery capabilities, to improve delivery speed and reliability.
The company has also developed its financial services capabilities, offering digital payment solutions and buy-now-pay-later options to customers. These financial services are integrated with Alibaba's broader financial technology ecosystem.
In recent years, Daraz has focused on growing its seller ecosystem, providing tools and services to help small and medium-sized businesses sell online. The company has also invested in live commerce (live streaming shopping) and other innovative shopping formats.
Daraz exited Myanmar operations, focusing its resources on its four core markets: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Brands Owned by Daraz
Daraz owns 0 brands in our database.
Daraz Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Alibaba's ownership provides access to world-class e-commerce technology, logistics expertise, and financial resources
- +Market leadership position in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka provides significant competitive moat
- +South Asian e-commerce market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with significant runway for growth
- +Integration with Alibaba's global supply chain provides access to a vast product catalog
- +Alibaba's financial backing allows Daraz to invest in logistics infrastructure and technology
Considerations
- -Alibaba's ownership may attract regulatory scrutiny in South Asian markets concerned about Chinese investment
- -Counterfeit products and seller quality control remain ongoing challenges
- -Logistics infrastructure in South Asia is less developed than in more mature markets, creating delivery challenges
- -Dependence on Alibaba's strategic priorities may limit Daraz's operational independence
- -Competition from global players (Amazon has a presence in some South Asian markets) and local platforms
Frequently Asked Questions About Daraz
Who owns Daraz?
Daraz is wholly owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited, a publicly traded Chinese multinational technology and e-commerce company (NYSE: BABA; HKEX: 9988). Alibaba acquired Daraz in May 2018.
Is Daraz publicly traded?
Daraz itself is not publicly traded. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group, which is publicly traded on the NYSE (BABA) and HKEX (9988).
When was Daraz founded?
Daraz was founded in 2012 by Rocket Internet as an online fashion marketplace in Pakistan. The company expanded to Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar in 2015, and was acquired by Alibaba Group in 2018.
In which countries does Daraz operate?
Daraz currently operates in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The company previously operated in Myanmar but exited that market.
What is DarazMall?
DarazMall is a premium section of the Daraz platform featuring verified brand stores and official brand products. Brands that meet Daraz's quality and authenticity standards can operate a DarazMall store, which provides buyers with greater assurance of product authenticity.
How does Daraz make money?
Daraz generates revenue primarily through commissions charged to third-party sellers on each transaction, advertising fees from sellers for sponsored listings and promotional placements, logistics service fees, and financial services fees.
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