Dec 22, 2023|
Dada Receives ESG Rating Upgrade from MSCI
Dada Nexus Limited (NASDAQ: DADA, “Dada”), China’s leading local on-demand delivery and retail platform, and a wholly consolidated subsidiary of JD.com, recently received an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) rating upgrade from Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”). Dada’s ESG rating was upgraded from “BBB” to “A”.
MSCI ESG Ratings provide an opinion of companies’ management of financially relevant ESG risks and opportunities. The latest upgrade recognizes Dada’s firm commitment to sustainable development and continuous improvement in ESG practices. In particular, Dada outperformed the industry in multiple categories including carbon emissions, privacy & data security and corporate behavior.
In addition, in September 2023, Dada received an ESG score of 36 in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, ranking it among the top 16% in global peers of FDR Food & Staples Retailing.
Dada has been incorporating ESG philosophies and standards into its business operations as part of its sustainable development strategy. In May 2023, Dada published its 2022 ESG Report, comprehensively disclosing its governance, management approach and practices in key ESG issues. Several highlights include:
On the environmental front, Dada aims to promote end-to-end carbon emission reduction.
- In 2022, Dada Now’s intra-city on-demand delivery service covered over 1.8 billion kilometers, with electric vehicles accounting for almost 100% of its fleet. This has resulted in a significant reduction of approximately 500,000 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with deliveries made with gasoline vehicles.
- Since 2020, JDDJ has gradually transitioned from ordinary plastic bags to biodegradable plastic bags, which covered around 70% of total orders on JDDJ in 2022.
- Dada also strives to foster a low-carbon culture in workplaces, with scope 1 and 2 GHG emission intensity reducing by over 50% to 0.11 tons per RMB million revenue in 2022.
On the social front, Dada practices “win-win development” together with employees and ecosystem partners.
- Pursuing the equal pay for equal work principle, Dada saw the pay gap between male/female employees and overall workforce at merely ±2% in 2022.
- JDDJ enters in in-depth partnerships with retailers and brands in China, helping partners seize on-demand retail opportunities and enhance operating efficiency. It has now onboarded over 400,000 offline stores and cooperated with around 300 brand partners, serving users across 2,200 cities and counties.
- Dada Now provides employment opportunities for a wide range of flexible workers, with around 1 million annual active riders in 2022, of which over 80% were from lower-tier cities. Dada Now has also launched comprehensive safety protection measures and established effective incentive schemes to protect riders’ interest, while actively providing training and care for riders to enhance their experience.
On the governance front, Dada focuses on improving its corporate governance and practicing responsible business conduct.
- Dada is committed to enhancing board diversity and professional skills, strengthening risk management, and adhering to business ethics.
- Dada attaches great importance to user privacy and data security. In the end-to-end process of user data collection, storage, computing, usage, sharing and destruction, Dada upholds the principle of protecting user rights and interests. It also integrates user privacy protection philosophy into product R&D. For example, since 2019, Dada Group has implemented a virtual number program to protect user privacy.
To view Dada’s ESG report in full, please visit the ESG section on Dada’s IR website at https://ir.imdada.cn/corporate/environmental-social-and-governance.
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)
JD.com Debuts the National Pavilion of Colombia
