Quick Commerce Platforms to Ramp Up Temporary Workforce by 40-60% for Festive Season

Quick-commerce platforms are set to bolster their temporary workforces by 40-60% this festive season to cope with a likely surge in demand. The total ecommerce market is expected to double its share of quick commerce deliveries to 10%, with an estimated 1 million people deployed in the segment. Fresh hires will be deployed in roles such as pickers, packers, loaders, and store managers, among others.

Alibaba Group Holding (BABA) reported its fiscal first-quarter results, showcasing a 2% year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth to $34.57 billion, surpassing analyst expectations [1]. The e-commerce giant's performance was driven by robust growth in China e-commerce, cloud, and AI segments. Key highlights include a 10% YoY revenue increase for the China E-commerce Group, a 26% revenue increase for the Cloud Intelligence Group, and a 19% revenue increase for the Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.

The company's quick commerce initiatives, such as the launch of Taobao Instant Commerce, contributed significantly to the growth in the China E-commerce Group. This platform expanded on-demand delivery and saw a 25% increase in monthly active users. Additionally, strong performance from the 6.18 Shopping Festival and higher take rates further bolstered the segment's performance.

Alibaba's Cloud Intelligence Group, which focuses on AI products and services, continued its streak of triple-digit growth, posting a 26% YoY revenue increase. This growth was driven by rising demand for AI products, public cloud services, and generative AI infrastructure. The company's investment in AI and cloud services is part of a $53 billion plan over the next three years [1].

Despite the strong revenue growth, adjusted earnings per American Depositary Share (ADS) fell short of analyst expectations, and adjusted net income declined 18% to $4.68 billion. However, net income surged 76% year-over-year, driven primarily by mark-to-market gains from equity investments and the disposal of Trendyol’s local consumer services business.

The company's cash position remained robust, with $81.76 billion in cash and equivalents as of June 30, 2025. The operating cash flow was $2.89 billion, down 39%, and free cash flow was an outflow of $2.63 billion, primarily reflecting cloud infrastructure spending and investments in Taobao Instant Commerce.

Alibaba's quick-commerce platforms are set to bolster their temporary workforces by 40-60% this festive season to cope with a likely surge in demand. The total e-commerce market is expected to double its share of quick commerce deliveries to 10%, with an estimated 1 million people deployed in the segment. Fresh hires will be deployed in roles such as pickers, packers, loaders, and store managers, among others [2].

References:
[1] https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/08/47409158/alibaba-sees-historic-opportunities-as-ceo-points-to-ai-and-quick-commerce-wins
[2] N/A