SF Express and Cainiao clash
SF Express and Cainiao, the logistics affiliate of Alibaba, have become engaged in a dispute over logistics data access. According to a report published today (2 June) by the South China Morning Post (which is owned by Alibaba): “At issue is access to SF’s decision to stop sharing logistics data with merchants from Alibaba-owned online marketplace Taobao.
“SF Express claimed in a Shenzhen stock exchange filing that Cainiao had removed it as a shipping option, and blocked access to data, leading to considerable customer confusion.”
The SCMP article said that Cainiao “responded by saying that it was the courier [i.e. SF Express] that first walled off information”, and also added: “Alibaba’s Cainiao has now told merchants to select other couriers in response to SF Express’ decision to stop sharing data involving to customers with the company.”
China’s State Post Bureau has now stepped in as a mediator, issuing a notice urging both sides to sort out their differences.
“Both parties should seek a solution on the basis of the largest possible common ground, abide by market order and consumers’ rights and refrain from exerting severe and negative social influence because of company feuding,” the bureau said.
