



KUALA LUMPUR: Manchester United (Man Utd) has formed a global partnership with Malaysia-based Aladdin Group, which operates an e-marketplace focused on premium halal and syariah-compliant products and services.A statement on the club’s website said that Aladdin Group would work with Man Utd to generate brand awareness and compelling engagement projects with the club’s 659 million global followers, via the club’s digital platforms as well as one-to-one fan events and campaigns worldwide.Aladdin Group’s co-founder and president, Datuk Seri Desmond To, said AladdinStreet.com (its e-platform) would kickstart its services globally in this quarter by featuring products and services from Malaysia and Singapore in the initial stages.Then more would come on board from its network offices located in 30 countries worldwide in phase one, which covers a population of about 4 billion consumers, he said.“Manchester United fans worldwide will soon be able to enjoy unique opportunities as well as experience unique benefits and privileges when they shop on AladdinStreet. We are proud and delighted to bring our platform to the world and leverage on the tremendous brand awareness of Manchester United worldwide,” To said.Man Utd’s group managing director Richard Arnold noted that the growth in popularity of e-commerce gave customers access to a wide range of global products at the touch of a button.“As a vibrant, up-and-coming young company, Aladdin Street is at the forefront of the industry, providing consumers with the ability to purchase quality, premium and compliant goods from reputable merchants who have been invited to sell on the site. Its partnership with Manchester United demonstrates the company’s dedication to global expansion,” he said.Aladdin Group prides itself on providing its customers with authentic “halalan toyyiban” compliant products sourced globally and delivered locally. Only fully registered and certified companies are invited by AladdinStreet to trade on the site.Aladdin Group caters to both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) communities over the World Wide Web and via its mobile apps, providing global business opportunities to local merchants and a seamless online shopping experience to consumers worldwide.Aladdinstreet.com was launched in Malaysia early last year. One of its co-founders is Malaysian Astro naut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, who said the portal intended to compete with the likes of Amazon and Alibaba.