Apr 29, 2020|
Consumption Trends during COVID-19 through Data
by Ella Kidron
In recent weeks, COVID-19 has entered a new stage in China. Most notably, there has been a shift in the consumption structure. Early on, consumption of necessities and disinfection supplies made up a large proportion of people’s e-commerce purchases, but now, as data from JD’s Big Data Research Institute has shown, other categories, as a proportion of overall consumption has increased, while growth in sales of disinfection related products has eased. The below infographic illustrates some of the changes in consumption over the past several months, as seen from JD.com data.
Sep 30, 2024|
JD Super Partners with Wuchang to Celebrate the Rice Harvest Season, Delivering Authentic Wuchang Rice to Consumers at Competitive Prices
On September 19th, JD Super, the supermarket division of JD.com, collaborated with the city of Wuchang and leading local businesses to officially launch the Wuchang rice harvest season. This partnership highlights JD’s commitment to promoting premium agricultural products and providing customers with access to authentic Wuchang rice at competitive prices, thanks to a direct-from-source supply chain.
Wuchang rice harvest ceremony held at the production base for JD Super
To mark the event, four international influencers were invited to experience the rice harvest firsthand in the paddy fields. Brian, an influencer from Argentina, was impressed by the large-scale mechanized farming operations in Northeast China, witnessing the entire process from plowing and seedling cultivation to transplanting and harvesting. Ameen, a journalist from Iraq, marveled at how China, with only 9% of the world’s arable land, is able to feed 20% of the global population.
Russian vlogger “Liu Nasijia” gained a new appreciation for rice, discovering its versatility beyond its use in traditional sushi, thanks to the Wuchang rice tasting. Meanwhile, Rwandan influencer “Xiao Hei Tan” pointed out the affordability of JD Super’s rice product offerings, noting that while rice in Africa typically costs around 5-6 yuan per 500g, JD Super offers it for under 3 yuan per 500g, making it highly accessible to consumers.
“Liu Nasijia”, “Xiao Hei Tan”, Ameen and Brian
Wuchang, located in Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China, is known as the “Home of Premium Rice.” For nine consecutive years, Wuchang rice has topped China’s regional brand value list. Harvested once annually, the rice has a growing cycle of approximately 150 days, with the harvest taking place over 15 days in late September.
To ensure a steady supply of high-quality Wuchang rice, JD Super has partnered with leading local enterprises, including Jinhe Rice Industry, to offer exclusive sales. By establishing a dedicated rice production base in Wuchang’s core agricultural area, JD Super ensures that customers receive only the finest rice.
JD Super’s dedicated rice production base in Wuchang
Since 2019, Wuchang has been selling traceable, authentic Wuchang rice through two flagship stores on JD Super. In addition to helping local businesses in Wuchang establish brand stores and expand their online presence, JD Super’s sales of Wuchang rice now exceed 1 billion yuan annually.
A notable success story is Jinhe Rice Industry, whose premium brands, Shengshangyipin and Tianzuogushi, have seen significant growth through exclusive offerings on JD Super, including organic Wuchang rice and germ rice. By leveraging JD’s “10 Billion-Yuan Discount” program, Jinhe Rice Industry saw a 138% sales increase from January to August 2024, surpassing the growth of JD Super’s overall rice category.
On September 19th, JD Super also launched its third annual Agricultural Specialties Shopping Festival. By eliminating middlemen and sourcing products directly from farms, JD Super ensures that consumers enjoy top-quality agricultural products at the most competitive prices. With initiatives like the billion-yuan agricultural subsidies and livestream sales, JD Super is making premium, authentic goods more accessible to shoppers across China.
(vivian.yang@jd.com)
Sep 27, 2024|
Leveraging AI to Drive Innovation, Reduce Costs, and Create Jobs: Insights from JD.com’s Chief Economist
At the 2024 FORTUNE Global 500 Summit in Guangzhou on September 26th, Dr. Shen Jianguang, Chief Economist of JD.com, shared how the company utilizes AI to transform its operations across retail, logistics, and more, while driving significant workforce expansion. “By integrating advanced technologies throughout our business, JD.com has more than tripled its workforce in the past six years from 180,000 to 620,000, all while increasing salaries,” Dr. Shen explained during the panel discussion titled “‘Changes and Opportunities’—Chief Economists’ Perspectives.”
AI tools have enabled JD.com to boost efficiency and elevate the customer experience. For example, JD’s AI-driven digital human livestream hosts have helped over 5,000 brands increase off-peak hours’ sales conversion rates by 30%. Additionally, AI-powered customer service representatives offer more personalized support, and logistics couriers use AI to deliver packages faster and with greater sustainability.
JD.com’s customer service representatives
“The competition in China is so fierce, and that’s what drives innovation—you have to innovate to survive,” said Dr. Shen, underscoring the role of innovation in reducing costs and increasing productivity. This is especially crucial in China’s e-commerce landscape, where consumers are becoming more price-conscious. “Consumers are looking for the ‘extreme quality-to-price ratio,’ meaning they want high-quality products at lower prices,” he added. At the same time, Dr. Shen noted a growing trend in rural and lower-tier markets, where significant growth opportunities are emerging.
Dr. Shen also discussed China’s recent economic stimulus packages. “Policy initiatives are important. When people perceive a shift in policy, the market responds,” he said, referring to the government’s subsidies for home appliance trade-ins introduced earlier this year. This program has stimulated demand for affordable, high-quality products, as reflected in the increased sales of subsidized items.
Guangzhou, the host city for the summit, launched a new round of consumer goods trade-in subsidies on September 1st, positioning online platforms like JD.com as essential providers of seamless trade-in services. Over 800 home appliance brands have partnered with JD.com in Guangzhou, offering more than 8,500 products. Additionally, JD.com is working with its brand partners on a Customer-to-Manufacturer (C2M) model, leveraging consumer insights to drive innovation for more tailored products.
JD.com provides one-stop trade-in services for home appliances and home goods
The panel discussion featured Dr. Shen alongside Minggao Shen, Global Chief Economist at GF Securities, and Robin Xing, Chief China Economist at Morgan Stanley, with FORTUNE Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell moderating. The panelists agreed that while AI is still in its early stages, its potential is vast. With China’s stimulus policies and a functioning capital market, the private sector is well-positioned to unlock considerable industrial and social value.
JD.com ranked #47 on the 2024 Fortune Global 500, moving up five spots from the previous year. Guided by its mission to “Make Lives Better through Technology,” the company remains committed to cost management, operational efficiency, and enhancing user experiences, while continuing to invest in employee development and upskilling to foster both business growth and workforce advancement.
(vivian.yang@jd.com)
Cloudflare and JD Partner to Help Global Companies Expand Their Reach Through a Secure, Fast, Consistent Platform Inside and Outside China
