Alibaba to Sell Stake in Chinese Hypermarket Operator

Alibaba Group has agreed to sell its shares in a Chinese hypermarket operator in a $1.7 billion deal, the latest divestment as part of the company’s efforts to focus on its core e-commerce business.

The company will sell its entire 78.7% stake in Hong Kong-listed Sun Art Retail Group to Chinese private-equity firm DCP Capital Partners for gross proceeds of up to $1.6 billion, Alibaba said Wednesday.

Alibaba expects to book a divestment loss of nearly $1.8 billion based on the estimated fair value of the consideration receivable for the sale of shares.

The e-commerce giant had bought a controlling stake in the hypermarket store operator in 2020 for $3.6 billion.

In a filing to the Hong Kong exchange Wednesday, Sun Art said that the acquirer plans to delist the company and conduct a strategic review of the hypermarket operator’s businesses.

Once a Wall Street favorite and a leader in China’s e-commerce, Alibaba is facing challenges in growing its revenue. The company is losing some of its market share amid a slowing Chinese economy and rising competition from domestic rivals like Pinduoduo and Douyin.

Last month, the company announced that it, along with a minority shareholder, had agreed to sell department-store chain Intime for $1.02 billion. The e-commerce giant said then that it anticipated to incur an over $1.0 billion loss from the sale of Intime.

Instagram may be full of dreamy interiors, but architect Georgina Wilson says what works on social media doesn’t always translate to real life.

As one of Australia’s most-followed architects, Wilson has seen first-hand how influencer-led design shapes—and sometimes sabotages—our homes.

From impractical layouts to fast-fashion finishes, here are five biggest myths she’s busting.

1. Form Over Function

That statement pendant light might rake in likes, but can you actually open your kitchen drawers?

Many influencer-inspired designs prioritise visual drama over practicality, sacrificing comfort, efficiency and long-term usability in the process.

2. Set Design, Not Home Design

Fluted cabinetry, curved walls, oversized arches—they look great in a styled shot but aren’t always built to last.

Wilson warns that these trends are often “set pieces,” designed for impact rather than daily living.

3. The DIY Myth

With time-lapses and tutorials galore, influencers make renovations look deceptively easy.

But Wilson says DIY often results in costly missteps: “Designing a great space requires experience, technical skill and planning—there are no shortcuts.”

4. Trends Over Timelessness

What’s hot today will feel tired tomorrow. Chasing viral aesthetics can lead to expensive regrets, especially if it means compromising on layout, materials, or functionality.

“Good design should outlast any algorithm,” says Wilson.

5. Influencer Projects Are Often Free – Yours Won’t Be

Wilson points out a crucial reality: most influencer renovations are heavily subsidised by brand partnerships.

Homeowners, meanwhile, foot the full bill—sometimes for design choices that don’t serve them long-term.

Social media is a powerful source of inspiration, but Wilson urges homeowners to think beyond the grid.

“A truly great home isn’t built for the ‘after’ photo,” she says. “It’s built to be lived in—comfortably, beautifully, every day.”