Daraz, Alibaba’s South Asian E-commerce Giant, Announces Layoffs

Karachi, Pakistan – In a move aimed at streamlining its operations, Daraz Group, the Alibaba-owned e-commerce platform, has announced layoffs across its business. The decision comes as the company seeks to adopt a more agile structure.

Details:

• Acting CEO James Dong conveyed the news to employees in the internal memo, emphasizing the need for a streamlined approach.
• The memo did not specify the exact number of employees affected by the layoff.
• Daraz, which operates in several South Asian countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, declined to comment on the percentage or absolute number of impacted employees.
• Last year, Daraz reduced its workforce by 11% due to various challenges, including market conditions, supply chain disruptions, and inflation.
• James Dong highlighted the company’s commitment to long-term sustainability and growth.
• The group plans to enhance consumer experience by diversifying product offerings and improving operational efficiency for sellers on its platform.
• Pakistan and Bangladesh remain Daraz’s biggest markets.
• Founded in 2012 as an online fashion retailer in Pakistan, Daraz was later acquired by Chinese internet giant Alibaba in 2018.
• The company’s business spans e-commerce, logistics, payment infrastructure, and financial services.
• With over 30 million shoppers, 200,000 active sellers, and more than 100,000 brands, Daraz continues to play a significant role in the region’s digital economy.