Jan 22, 2020| Executive Spotlights

Davos 2020: Trust in AI – The Economic Driver of the Intelligent Economy

Yuchuan Wang

Over the past few years, the discussion around AI has revolved around the way it is disrupting the world and redefining every aspect of our day to day lives. As a strategic partner of the World Economic Forum, JD.com hosted a panel discussion on the topic of “Trust in AI – The Economic Driver of the Intelligent Economy”.

Not only is AI pushing the technical boundaries of the possible, it is also pushing us to think about the implications it will have on us humans, the society, the world. In the past year the notion of Trustworthy AI has taken center stage across all major tech companies and national AI agendas. There is often debate as to whether the notion of trust differs based on differences in Western or Eastern values and principals. The question then becomes, how does this impact companies operating and delivering product and services on a global scale?

The panel included Dr. Daniela Rus, Director, the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), MIT; Xue Lan, Professor; Dean, Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University; and Bowen Zhou, President of JD Cloud and AI, Chair of JD Technology Committee. Nicholas Thompson, Editor-in-Chief at WIRED moderated the discussion.

Watch the video here:

Apr 1, 2024| Executive Spotlights, JD Retail

JD Chief Economist: Tech-Driven Supply Chain Revolutionizes Gen-Z Consumer Engagement in China

Vivian Yang

At the inaugural FORTUNE Innovation Forum in Hong Kong on March 28th, Dr. Jianguang Shen, chief economist of JD.com, highlighted the transformative impact of tech-driven supply chain solutions in meeting the dynamic needs of Gen-Z consumers in China.

“Gen-Z consumers are very discerning and pragmatic,” said Dr. Shen. “They don’t care if the brand is local or global.” Dr. Shen began by discussing the increasing sophistication of younger Chinese consumers. “The rising popularity of local products can be attributed to China’s supply-side reform, which has enabled brands to provide lower-cost products with higher quality,” he said. Shen also emphasized the strategic advantage that brands can achieve by leveraging advanced digital supply chains, which offer deep insights into consumer behavior, thereby tapping into substantial market opportunities.

Joining Dr. Shen were industry leaders including Angela Wei Dong, Global Vice President China at Nike; Pontus Erntell, President and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA China; and Doreen Wang, CEO of Kantar China and Global Head of BrandZ. Together, they shed light on the shifting preferences of China’s youth towards quality, sustainability, and enhanced social engagement in their retail experiences, especially amid economic headwinds, prompting brands to adapt swiftly.

Drawing examples from JD.com’s platform, Dr. Shen discussed the rising popularity of eco-friendly mini refrigerators among Gen-Z consumers. These products, aligning with Gen Z’s penchant for tech-savvy and environmentally conscious offerings, underscore the necessity for brands to evolve and align with consumer preferences.

Furthermore, Dr. Shen discussed the positive impact of a new government policy encouraging trade-in of consumer goods, which is expected to boost consumption. Leveraging JD.com’s robust supply chain capabilities, customers not only can easily trade in old appliances for more modern and eco-friendly goods but also benefit from a suite of JD’s attentive services such as doorstep pickup, installation, and recycling.

The conversation also touched upon the strategic collaborations under the Consumer-to-Manufacturer (C2M) model between JD.com and numerous brands, aiming to streamline the journey from product ideation to distribution. This collaboration has welcomed over 4,000 brands to JD.com’s C2M platform, drastically reducing product research and market introduction times by 80% and 70%, respectively, thereby fostering a mutually beneficial ecosystem for brands, retailers, and consumers.

Dr. Shen concluded by emphasizing JD.com’s commitment to technological innovation, with its deployment of AI-driven chatbot customer service, highly automated warehouses, autonomous delivery vehicles, and integrated retail solutions that bridge both online and offline domains. These innovations are designed to meet the dynamic preferences of consumers, enhancing the overall shopping experience and setting a new standard in consumer engagement.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)

Mar 8, 2024| Executive Spotlights, JD Logistics, JD Property, JD Retail

JD.com’s Strategic Advancements in International Business: A Focus on Supply Chain and User Experience

Vivian Yang

During JD.com’s earnings call for Q4 and FY2023 on March 6th, Sandy Xu, CEO of JD.com and JD Retail, provided an update on the company’s strategy for international expansion. Xu emphasized the importance of a robust supply chain as the cornerstone of JD.com’s growth beyond domestic borders.

Xu noted that JD.com is always on the lookout for overseas opportunities and is taking measured steps to advance this process. Given JD’s business model and inherent strengths, the company’s approach to global expansion is uniquely tailored.

“JD’s business model is built on supply chain capabilities and centered around user experience. Based on the development of supply chain infrastructure overseas, JD’s business will continue to expand in areas with our unique competitive strengths in global markets,” Xu said. She also provided an overview of JD.com’s current international businesses:

JD Worldwide, the export and import facet of JD Retail, incorporates JD Global Sales, an emerging outbound e-commerce platform dedicated to helping Chinese companies and brands expand their overseas market. JD’s cross-border inbound business, JD Global Buy, has established three direct procurement centers worldwide to enhance cross-border supply chain efficiency. This allows consumers in China to access a wider range of imported products at lower costs while ensuring product safety.
JD Logistics has developed a robust global supply chain, beginning with warehousing and expanding to encompass comprehensive supply chain services. Currently overseeing nearly 90 bonded, overseas, and direct mail warehouses across almost 900,000 square meters, JD Logistics provides extensive support to a broad spectrum of clients, including international enterprises and Chinese brands expanding overseas.
JD Property is expanding its business in Southeast Asia and Europe, with a focus on markets in Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Its clientele spans international logistics, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) giants, as well as emerging Chinese companies venturing abroad.
Ochama is an omni-channel retail platform incubated by JD.com in Europe, which utilizes advanced automated logistics technologies and global supply chain capabilities to provide a superior shopping experience for consumers across 24 European countries.

With a focus on supply chain and enhancing the user experience, JD.com will continue to explore opportunities to expand its global footprint. Learn more about JD.com’s businesses with global reach here.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)