AliExpress Expands Instant Retail with Hour-Delivery Services Abroad

AliExpress, the cross-border e-commerce arm of Alibaba Group, is rapidly advancing its instant retail services with the launch of "hourly delivery" operations across key global markets. Recent developments reveal that AliExpress has introduced this service in the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and parts of the Middle East through strategic partnerships with major local platforms.

In Australia, AliExpress has teamed up with well-known Asian supermarkets Ebest and Umall. These stores offer strong infrastructure in local logistics and maintain a loyal customer base among the Chinese diaspora. Their cooperation provides AliExpress with a solid foundation for localized fulfillment and positions the platform to improve delivery efficiency and enhance user experience in the region.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, the platform collaborates with retail powerhouse Magalu, one of the country’s leading e-commerce players. Magalu hosts over 300,000 sellers across diverse industries and boasts over 100 million monthly visits. This alliance is expected to significantly accelerate AliExpress’s penetration in Brazil while boosting its visibility and credibility among local consumers.

In the Middle East, AliExpress is working alongside Othaim, a well-established name in the regional retail sector. This partnership aims to merge local operational strengths with AliExpress's platform capabilities, enabling faster logistics responses and a wider service network.

The UK market presents another compelling case. AliExpress had already begun developing local warehousing in the UK last year, laying the groundwork for this expansion. The new hourly delivery service is powered by HungryPanda, a local food delivery company with deep experience in last-mile logistics. By leveraging HungryPanda’s operational expertise, AliExpress gains a competitive edge in navigating the UK’s delivery ecosystem, especially in food and daily essentials.

The push for real-time retail comes as many global markets show signs of resilience in consumer spending. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the country saw steady growth in retail turnover during the first half of 2025, signaling a favorable climate for faster delivery solutions. The timing of AliExpress’s expansion aligns closely with rising expectations for convenience and immediacy among online shoppers.

These collaborations are part of a broader strategy to connect AliExpress’s global reach with regional platforms’ localized capabilities. By integrating with trusted local players, AliExpress can offer same-day or even hourly deliveries in select cities, meeting rising demand for instant gratification in e-commerce.

However, this ambitious expansion is also poised to intensify competition in the instant delivery market. Local players in these regions may need to innovate and streamline their logistics to stay relevant, as AliExpress raises the bar for speed, fulfillment, and customer experience.

AliExpress's aggressive foray into the global instant retail space signals a major shift in the landscape of cross-border e-commerce. By tapping into established local platforms and launching "hour delivery" services, the company is not just fulfilling orders faster—it is reshaping consumer expectations. As markets like the UK, Australia, Brazil, and the Middle East adapt to this accelerated retail model, businesses must prepare for a faster, more interconnected logistics future.

For global sellers and cross-border e-commerce operators navigating this changing environment, having the right logistics partner is more important than ever. Forest Shipping, as a trusted international freight forwarder, helps streamline your shipping operations from China to major global destinations. Whether you're entering new markets or scaling delivery speeds, Forest Shipping is here to support your logistics success.