Alibaba in talks to buy stake in German wholesaler’s China outlets: Report

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is in talks with Germany’s Metro about taking a stake in the German wholesaler’s China operations, three sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Metro and Alibaba declined to comment.

The talks are at an early stage and could still fall apart, the sources said.

Alibaba’s interest comes after rival Tencent last year signed a partnership deal with France’s Carrefour.