During the 2022 Alipay Partner Conference held in Hangzhou city on July 21, 2022, Alipay introduced four major product upgrades to further benefit merchants ranging from big brands to small businesses by supporting their digital operations.

Alipay also announced to invest resources with a total value of RMB 10 billion to enhance its support for merchants and Independent Software Vendors (“ISVs”). The resources, including traffic incentives, will focus on reducing merchants and ISVs’ costs and increasing their operational efficiency.

With the acceleration of digital transformation, merchants and brands have been leveraging various digital tools on the Alipay platform, including mini programs, lifestyle accounts and digital coupons, to enhance their engagement with consumers, improve efficiency and increase sales.

In June 2022, the MAU of Alipay Mini Program increased by nearly 30% from the same period last year.

“Digital operation of merchants has entered into a new stage. Together with our ISV partners, Alipay is committed to supporting merchants in their journey of digital transformation and will open up more capabilities,” says Yongming He, General Manager of the Alipay Ecosystem Development Business Unit and Vice President of Ant Group.

Cases of merchants leveraging the Alipay platform to enhance digital operation:

1. McDonald's

“Alipay is a digital life service platform that processes a huge amount of transactions. The digital tools and solutions available on the platform effectively boost our business growth and help us better engage with the mobile-savvy young generation, especially the Generation Z,” said Di Wen, Vice President of McDonald’s China speaking at the 2022 Alipay Partner Conference. In 2021, McDonald’s Alipay mini program saw a 44% increase in sales, 91% growth in number of orders and 71% rise in user transaction frequency.

2. NBA

“The Alipay platform provides innovative digital solutions and tools, such as branded payment code skin and digital collectibles, for us to better connect with fans that are far away from the teams they support. These solutions also magnify the impact of our IP,” said Matt Zhang, AVP of NBA China speaking at the 2022 Alipay Partner Conference. “Going forward, we will build differentiated virtual space for the young generation and launch more fun interactions, such as those combined with AR features, through our mini program on the Alipay platform.”

3. More recent cases of brands leveraging digital tools on the Alipay platform

Marriott International Partners with Ant Group to Enhance Digital Operations in China

Nine Italian Museums Arrive On Alipay In Time For International Museum Day

More details about the product upgrades

The product upgrades this time bring partners a range of benefits, including:

Ÿ Small businesses using the Alipay mini programs now have access to tailored search services just like big brands;

Ÿ Orders from a service provider and the state of the service can be pushed to Alipay homepage;

Ÿ Merchants can better engage with consumers through diverse functions such as livestreaming on the Alipay Lifestyle Account and enhance sales conversion combined with Alipay mini program; and

Ÿ Merchants’ digital coupons designed for the Alipay platform can also be used seamlessly on merchants’ own App.