Report: Alibaba Looking to Invest in Online Fashion Retailer Farfetch

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (9988.HK) is in advanced talks to invest nearly $300 million in online luxury fashion retailer Farfetch Ltd (FTCH.N), the Information reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shares of London-based Farfetch jumped about 16% to $32.59 following the news.

The two companies are also in talks to create a Chinese joint venture, the report said, adding that Cartier-owner Richemont, which has teamed up with Alibaba to create mobile applications, is also considering investing in Farfetch alongside the Chinese e-commerce giant.

Both Farfetch and Alibaba were not immediately available for a comment.

Farfetch, which counts Alibaba's competitors JD.com 9618.HK and Tencent Holdings Ltd (0700.HK) among its investors, has been betting on China's burgeoning online luxury goods world. Chinese consumers make up a third of luxury goods purchases worldwide.

Terms of the current and past deals with Tencent and JD would not prevent Alibaba from investing in Farfetch, the Information said, citing a source.

November 03, 2020