Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK are set to make major changes to their product sourcing strategies this year, according to new data from Alibaba.com, the global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce platform.
Just under half of UK SMEs say that sourcing products at more cost-effective prices (43 per cent) is a top priority in 2025, Alibaba has revealed. Other priorities include finding trusted suppliers (40 per cent), finding sustainable products (32 per cent), and sourcing new and trendy products to acquire new customers (31 per cent).
In a study of 1,001 sourcing decision makers at SMEs with under 150 employees in the UK, Alibaba found that around 57 per cent of UK SMEs plan to change suppliers, as they increasingly turn to digital sourcing channels, such as online B2B marketplaces, to find new suppliers, source new products and unlock growth.
Meanwhile, just under two-thirds (59 per cent) of UK SMEs surveyed said digital sourcing is more important now compared to this time last year. This indicates an increased preference for direct sourcing – buying goods directly from suppliers, rather than intermediaries.
“UK SMEs are becoming more strategic in their sourcing, focusing on affordability, trend responsiveness, and supplier reliability to stay competitive,” explained Kuo Zhang, president of Alibaba.com. “Our research shows that SMEs are looking beyond cost savings and actively seeking new suppliers to future-proof their businesses. This shift aligns with a broader trend across Europe, where the number of orders placed by European buyers on our platform in February increased by 75 per cent year-on-year. As businesses embrace digital sourcing, they are gaining greater flexibility and access to a wider range of products to support their growth.”
The study was launched in the run-up to March Expo 2025, Alibaba.com’s B2B sourcing event which connects buyers and sellers, helping them discover the latest product opportunities and build new supplier partnerships.
