China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba is launching its first online marketplace in the US, 11Main.com, as it looks to expand its operations outside China.

The move comes ahead of Alibaba’s share sale in the US, widely expected to one of the biggest by a technology firm. Alibaba is China’s biggest online retailer, and the total value of goods sold on its platforms last year exceeded that on Amazon and eBay combined. The portal 11Main.com will initially be open to customers by invitation only.

“We want the shops to represent the diversity of Main Street. Some shops are high-end boutiques and some are more vintage,” said Mike Effle, president and general manager of 11 Main.

The site is being launched by Auctiva and Vendio, two of Alibaba’s subsidiary companies acquired a few years ago.

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