Sep 19, 2017|
BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund Announces New Partnership with JD.com
Today the British Fashion Council (BFC) is delighted to announce a new partnership between the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and JD.com, China’s largest retailer with 258.3 million customers.
With China being the world’s second largest consumer and luxury market and an increased interest from Chinese consumers for British designers, the partnership will allow the BFC to help talent engage with the Chinese market. Earlier this year JD.com launched JD Fashion with the goal of expanding its global fashion presence and bring more brands to China. This partnership will help enable the company to support Britain’s design talent and increase their footprint in China.
JD Fashion will help designers that are part of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund to enter an often difficult to navigate Chinese market. Known for their focus on providing a premium luxury shopping experience for its upwardly mobile customers, JD Fashion has made a significant push in the sector over the last year, bringing in dozens of world-class brands and rapidly growing its share of the Chinese luxury market. JD Fashion has made inroads with ever-more choosy Chinese consumers through its reputation for not tolerating counterfeits, and offering a variety of services to make the online experience every bit as luxurious as shopping offline. Earlier this year, JD.com created the world’s first luxury white glove service through which online luxury fashion purchases are hand-delivered in electric vehicles by couriers clad in distinctive suits.
The partnership will be effective from January 2018 and will benefit the 2018 Fund winners. To launch this partnership JD Fashion supported Mary Katrantzou, winner in 2015 and Huishan Zhang shortlisted in 2017 on their London Fashion Week September 2017 shows.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive British Fashion Council said: “The Chinese market is extremely important to our designers. This partnership with JD Fashion is very exciting as it will enable us to offer to the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund expertise on how to best penetrate the Chinese market. JD.com is a company that is known for protecting its brands against counterfeits, something very important as we need to make sure that the creativity and excellence of our designers is protected.”
Xia Ding, President JD Fashion commented: “We are delighted to partner with the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund to help support the world’s best up-and-coming designers. We believe strongly in partnering with designers throughout their careers, from helping them get their start in the industry, to entering the Chinese market and building their brands, to protecting their IP. This marks a starting point for what we expect to be a deep, long-term relationship with the British fashion community.”
Established in 2008, the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund aims to discover new talent and accelerate the development of the next leading British brand. In 2017 the Fund adjusted its format with a focus on bringing key expertise into designer businesses to assist with development and growth. The £200,000 fund was opened up to be shared between up to three recipients, enabling the fund to benefit multiple designers at a pivotal stage in the growth of their brand’s development. Mother of Pearl and palmer//harding, winners of the 2017 Fund received a full mentoring programme through the BFC’s Business Support team, including access to funders and industry experts.
JD.com joins existing funders including British Vogue, Burberry, Harrods, LABEL, Paul Smith and Topshop.
Previous winners of the Fund include Christopher Kane, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto and Sophia Webster.
The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is part of the BFC’s business support initiatives aimed at supporting British designers and businesses from school level to emerging talent and future fashion start-ups through to new establishment and global brands.
For more information please visit: britishfashioncouncil.com/designerfashionfund
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)
E-commerce Giant JD.com and L’Oréal China Announce “Inclusive Beauty” Program to Empower People with Disabilities
