Bailian eyes new era in shopping

Retail hopes that Alibaba tie-up will revive its fortunes

Shanghai retail conglomerate Bailian Group is pinning its hopes on a partnership with e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd to reshape the city's shopping landscape.

Bailian announced on Monday that it had established a strategic partnership with Alibaba to share data and technology, and introduce a new pattern of consumption at the conglomerate's 4,800 bricks-and-mortar stores.