According to monitoring by 1M AI News, Taobao Tmall will gradually open the “Lobster” version of the Business Butler to merchants starting March 31, establishing an Agent team for each merchant to autonomously manage their stores 24/7. Tmall President Jia Luo announced this plan at the Tmall TOPTALK Super Brand Private Meeting on March 26.
Unlike the AI tools used by over 5 million merchants in the past year, the “Lobster” version of the Business Butler is positioned as a “digital employee” with autonomous execution capabilities, able to generate strategies, execute adjustments, monitor effects, and iterate optimization on its own. Jiu Ding, General Manager of Merchant Brands at Tmall Group, illustrated that when the system detects a deviation between the pricing of core best-selling products and market trends, it will automatically formulate an adjustment plan, execute tests, and provide feedback, rather than just issuing reminders. The operation aims for “one-click installation and activation,” lowering the technical barrier.
The initial functionality covers three modules: business data analysis (continuously scanning operational status, warning of risks, identifying opportunities), material and advertising optimization (generating personalized display content, automatically testing ad combinations), and intelligent shopping guidance (understanding users’ potential needs and making precise recommendations). The platform will subsequently enrich its skill library in collaboration with merchants and service providers.
Additionally, Tmall announced several operational initiatives for 2026: investing hundreds of millions in the “Store AI Red Envelope,” automatically granting limited-time discounts to high-potential new customers; launching “Intelligent Ad Co-Investment,” adding platform investments to well-performing merchant ads; and preparing 60 billion in special traffic support for the launch exposure of new products. Jia Luo also revealed that the 88VIP membership scale is approaching 60 million, with half of the sales from top Tmall brands contributed by 88VIP.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
