UK SMEs prioritise trendy and high-quality products as direct sourcing takes centre stage
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, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce.
Just under half of UK SMEs say that sourcing products at more cost-effective prices (43%) is a top priority in 2025. This is followed by finding trusted suppliers (40%), finding sustainable products (32%), and sourcing new and trendy products to acquire new customers (31%).
In addition, more than half of UK SMEs (57%) 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. Just under two thirds (59%) 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.
The study of more than 1,000 sourcing decision makers at SMEs in the UK was launched in the run-up to March Expo 2025, Alibaba.com’s major B2B sourcing event of the year. March Expo connects buyers and sellers from around the world, helping them discover the latest product opportunities and build new supplier partnerships. During the month, B2B buyers can also shop from thousands of sustainable products and benefit from over two million deals with product certificates.
Kuo Zhang, president, Alibaba.com, said: “UK SMEs are becoming more strategic in their sourcing, focusing on affordability, trend responsiveness, and supplier reliability to stay competitive. 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% 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.”