Alibaba Stake Lifts Zulily Shares, But Big Push in U.S. Unlikely

Alibaba Group’s unexpected purchase of a big stake in Zulily heartened investors in the challenged moms-oriented, flash-sales site, and prompted speculation of growing Western ambitions for the Chinese online retail behemoth.

But Alibaba’s three-day Zulily shopping spree, unveiled in securities filings Friday, probably does not herald an all-out invasion of the Seattle tech scene or a change of its China-first policy, experts say.

Alibaba’s “global ambitions right now are connecting brands and sellers in the U.S. with Chinese consumers,” a market where it reigns supreme, said Porter Erisman, a former Alibaba executive.