Sep 28, 2020|
300,000 kg of Unsalable Kiwi Get a Second Life with JD
by Ella Kidron
After seeing a cry for help in the local news in Sichuan, JD mobilized a team to help rescue 300,000 kg of unsalable kiwifruit.
The report, which appeared in the Chuanguan News (川观新闻) on the evening of September 27th, said that the “Wenchuan warriors” were desperately seeking a channel to sell the produce. During the worst period of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, 12 “Wenchuan warriors” from Lehuo village, Wenchuan county (home of the devastating Wenchuan earthquake of 2008) in Sichuan province, selflessly traveled day and night to deliver six trucks full of vegetables amounting to around 100 tons to the epidemic epicenter. This time, one of the Wenchuan warriors, Guiyun Yang, is the main person in charge of the kiwifruit sales and transportation.
Just five hours after the report, Yong Zhao, village director of Lehuo village came with good news that JD would open a sales channel through which the kiwifruit would be sold to JD consumers all over the country.
According to Zhao there are more than 1,400 villagers in Lehuo village and kiwifruit is a big source of income for them. He received many calls after the posting in Chuanguan news, but hesitated to sell because he did not feel that the logistics could guaranteed. “I was worried that the fruit would be damaged during transportation and destroy our kiwifruit brand.”
Behind the scenes, upon catching wind of the request, JD Logistics’ Southwest region reported the information to an internal working group. After collecting significant information, members of JD Fresh, JD Logistics and other relevant departments held an emergency online meeting to discuss how to solve this problem.
A representative for JD Logistics Southwest region said, “We have always heard the story of the ‘Wenchuan Warriors” trekking for 20 hours to deliver vegetables to Wuhan and were deeply moved”. JD has a mature response mechanism for unsalable produce. During the epidemic period, it only took JD one month to sell nearly 10 times as much unsalable produce than the same period last year. “It is our duty to help the ‘Wenchuan delivery warriors’ sell kiwifruit,” said the representative. Furthermore, JD’s professional packing and transport capabilities gave the villagers peace of mind.
The JD team (Photo from Chuanguan News)
Early on in the virus outbreak, JD launched the National Fresh Produce Green Channel (“Green Channel” to help farmers sell unsalable products through JD’s channels. The program also provides JD customers across China with access to more high quality and fresh produce thanks to JD’s supply chain and logistics strength.
Nov 7, 2024|
CIIE 2024: JD.com to Expand Imports of Specialty Brands, Strengthen Healthcare Partnerships, and Enhance Logistics
At the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5, JD Super, the supermarket division of JD.com, announced a major initiative to broaden its selection of imported specialty. Over the next three years, JD Super plans to introduce over 1,000 new international brands to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, diverse imported goods.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Quality Imports
According to JD Worldwide’s “White Paper on 2024 China Cross-Border Consumption Trends,” more than 80% of Chinese consumers are interested in imported products, with many prioritizing authenticity, quality, and fast delivery. In response, JD has significantly expanded its range of international offerings. During the ongoing Singles’ Day Grand Promotion, sales of cross-border products have surged, with more than 600 brands experiencing a sales increase of over 100% compared to last year.
Strengthening High-Quality Food Partnerships
Demonstrating JD.com’s commitment to sourcing high-quality products, JD Super signed a new procurement agreement at CIIE with Huadong Foods and Teys, a major Australian beef brand under Cargill. Under this agreement, JD Super and Huadong Foods will procure $50 million of Teys beef throughout 2025. This partnership underscores JD’s strategy of collaborating with trusted suppliers to provide high-quality, affordable beef to Chinese consumers.
Delivering Authentic Global Goods Efficiently
JD Logistics has built a robust logistics network that spans bonded, direct mail, and overseas warehouses, facilitating fast deliveries of imported items across categories such as electronics, fashion, beauty, food, and baby products. In many major cities, delivery times have been reduced to under 48 hours.
For instance, JD Super’s partnership with Raub of Malaysia enables the import of Musang King durians, which are harvested at peak ripeness and air-shipped with cold chain logistics for delivery within 24 hours. Additionally, JD.com also secured an early supply of Chilean cherries, available since October, which can be delivered in as little as 30 minutes in many areas through JD NOW, its on-demand retail service.
JD.com’s “JD National Pavilions” program, which features over 150 country-themed flagship stores from more than 70 countries and regions, continues to be a cornerstone of its import strategy. Supported by embassies and reputable organizations, this initiative offers Chinese consumers access to premium products and cultural experiences from around the world. In April, JD launched the JD National Pavilion of Mali, introducing popular items like shea butter and garnering over 40,000 followers.
Expanding Healthcare and Logistics Partnerships
JD Health is also making strides at CIIE by strengthening partnerships with leading global healthcare companies, including Merck, Bayer, and Roche. As “China’s premier online health access point,” JD Health is committed to integrating digital and physical healthcare resources to improve access and convenience for patients.
Key collaborations include initiatives with Haleon to promote brain health and anti-aging for the “silver economy,” with MSD China on a digital diabetes management model, and with Teva Pharmaceuticals to provide patient education for conditions such as tardive dyskinesia (TD) and Huntington’s disease (HD).
On the logistics front, JD Logistics announced plans to double its overseas warehouse space by 2025 and expand its network of bonded and direct mail warehouses. JD Express now serves over 60 countries, enhancing cross-border delivery efficiency and supporting both brands and consumers.
Through these efforts, JD.com reaffirms its commitment to sourcing and delivering authentic, high-quality imported products to Chinese consumers, supported by an advanced supply chain that ensures a superior shopping experience.
(vivian.yang@jd.com)
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