Germany's Metro, China's Alibaba in e-commerce tie-up

German retail giant Metro said Tuesday it is teaming up with Chinese online retailer Alibaba to tap the potential of the booming e-commerce market in China.

Metro, which operates more than 80 Cash and Carry wholesale stores in China "is now expanding its channels" by opening an online shop in China offering Metro's own brands, as well as supplier brands from Germany, it said in a statement.

"In the first phase, over 100 products in the categories of dairy, canned foods, coffee, and chocolate from Metro Cash & Carry Germany as well as cosmetics goods from Real are to be offered online," the statement said.

The product assortment would subsequently be expanded to include more food items from Metro Cash & Carry and non-food from its Real supermarket brand.

"E-commerce is one of our strategic growth drivers in China," said chief executive Olaf Koch.

"Opening the flagship store again shows our clear confidence in the Chinese market. This platform enables us to deliver more quality imported goods and German brands to the Chinese customers," he said.

Metro and Alibaba said they would also explore possible cooperation in other areas, such as supply chain and market data.