Alibaba.com, the B2B business unit of Alibaba Group, is one of the largest global B2B trading platforms with more than 200,000 suppliers and 20 million buyers – nearly one-third of which are based in the U.S. The company is using its position as a major facilitator of global B2B trade to produce monthly reports called the Alibaba.com B2B Pulse that:

• Aggregate macroeconomic developments relevant to US B2B small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs); and
• Analyze trading patterns on the Alibaba.com platform to reveal the biggest B2B demand shifts among US businesses and provide a leading indicator for the coming consumer and retail sales trends.

The Alibaba.com August B2B Pulse reveals that despite supply chain challenges and disruptions brought on by the pandemic, the construction and renovation boom we’ve been seeing in the early part of 2021 is not slowing down. From August 2020 to August 2021, US businesses have increased spending in the following fastest-growing construction-related categories:

• Tools and Hardware (31%)
• Minerals and Metallurgy (46%)
• Construction and Real Estate (24%)

Alibaba.com August B2B Pulse platform data below.

Alibaba.com August B2B Pulse

Top rising categories from August 2020 to August 2021:

1. Minerals & Metallurgy (up 46%)

a.       Fiberglass products (71%)

b.       Steel (55%)

c.       Aluminum (55%)

1. Tools & Hardware (up 31%)

a.                   Power tools and accessories (71%)

b.                   Welding and soldering (58%)

c.                   Fasteners (38%)

2. Construction & Real Estate (up 24%)

a.                   Sunrooms and glass houses (158%)

b.                   Ladders and scaffoldings (117%)

c.                   Countertops, vanity tops, and table tops (107%)

3. Commercial Service Equipment
4. Toys & Hobbies
5. Electronic Components, Accessories & Telecommunications

Biggest month-on-month movers from July 2021 to August 2021:

Increases

1. Chemicals (9%)

Decreases

1. Sports & Entertainment (-24%)

a.                   Water sports equipment (-44%)

b.                   RVs and campers (-40%)

c.                   Boats and ships (-41%)