Mar 31, 2020| ESG

German Research Firm Highlights JD’s Capabilities in Fighting against COVID-19

Ling Cao

by Ling Cao

CEP Research, Germany’s leading online information platform focusing on the worldwide courier, express and postal industry，recently posted two articles highlighting how JD.com has successfully risen to challenges posed by the COVID-19.

One article commented, “JD.com, is forecasting double-digit sales growth in the first three months of the year, confident that its in-house logistics network will hold it in good stead through the coronavirus outbreak.”

The article added, “In contrast to some of its rivals, among them Alibaba, who appear to have struggled during the viral epidemic, handicapped by a shortage of available couriers at their delivery partners, JD.com’s self-operated network provided scope for the group to swiftly ramp-up reoperations after the extended Chinese New Year holiday period.” For the 8^th year in a row, JD maintained its promise to consistently deliver during the Chinese New Year, and has delivered throughout the entire epidemic period.

JD is also leveraging its technology to address last mile delivery challenges and to provide a contactless delivery experience for customers during COVID-19. Another article by CEP Research highlights JD’s usage for drones and autonomous delivery robots during this period.

The article mentioned, “Earlier this month, the company completed its first delivery via drone to a village on Baiyang Lake, in Hebei province and will continue to operate this route by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during the coronavirus period. “

It also mentioned that JD’s delivery robots have been transporting medical supplies from the company’s delivery station to a hospital in Wuhan.

The article also highlights that JD is helping enterprises resuming work. It said, “The company underlined that the rapid growth of JD Logistics’ open logistics business (defined as services provided to parties outside of JD’s first party) is a further reflection of its overall commitment and efforts to leverage its technology and resources to fully support the resumption of business operations and stable economic development in China during the coronavirus period.”

(ling.cao@jd.com)

Jul 23, 2021| ESG

Donations from JD’s Warehouses in Henan Reach Stranded Passengers and Hospital Patients

Vivian Yang

by Vivian Yang

On July 21st, JD Logistics delivered over 540 boxes of food and mineral water from its nearby warehouses to Tielu train station in Zhengzhou, Henan province, where hundreds of passengers have been stranded on the railway for more than 40 hours due to the ongoing massive floods in the region.

The train K226/7 left Zhengzhou headed for Lanzhou of Gansu province in the afternoon of July 19th, but service was suspended not long after departure due to the flooding. The ferocious storm cut off all rescue channels around the station, posing grim challenges to railway staff attempting to provide necessities for the stranded passengers.

JD Logistics’ local team contacted station head Yabin Zhang shortly after learning what was happening, and quickly sourced and delivered supplies from its warehouses close to the station, providing much needed relief for the hungry and tired passengers.

“Thank you so much,” wrote Zhang in his Wechat communication with the JD courier in charge of this mission. “I just want to express our gratitude on behalf of all the passengers on K227.”

On the same day, another batch of rescue supplies from JD’s local warehouses were sent to designated hospitals in Henan. It is estimated that there are over 5,000 medical workers and patients stranded at the No.1 Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; and 4,000 at the No. 5 Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. JD’s timely delivery of relief supplies has greatly alleviated their urgent needs.

JD is China’s largest retailer with an extensive logistics infrastructure including a network of around 1,000 warehouses across the country. Since 2012, the company has abided by a rule that if a disaster happens anywhere in the country, the nearest JD warehouse should immediately donate and deliver its goods to meet the emergency demands. The manager in charge of the warehouse is entitled to make such a decision on the ground without waiting for approval from upper management.

In order to reduce operating pressures for merchants from Henan on JD’s platform, the company also announced 10 supportive measures on July 22nd to help tide them over during this difficult time while maintaining business operation. These measures include a number of operating fee exemptions on JD.com, including exemption from penalties for product delivery delays, and offering merchants employer liability insurance at no cost, and more.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)

Jul 21, 2021| ESG

JD’s Rescue Supplies Rush to Rain-Ravaged Henan from Local Warehouses

Vivian Yang

by Vivian Yang

JD.com initiated emergency support for the central China province of Henan on July 21^st as heavy downpours continued to lash the region.

Over 20 trucks of rescue supplies donated by JD and transported from JD Logistics’ closest warehouse arrived in Henan on the second day of the heavy rainfall, including raincoats, rubber shoes, spades, instant noodles, mineral water and more.

JD Retail launched a dedicated service hotline for customers and merchants in order to provide emergency goods coordination.

JD Health opened a free 24-hour hotline for local people’s medical consultation, and sourced and donated healthcare supplies for disinfection, epidemic prevention, mosquito prevention, treatment of wounds and anti-inflammation.

AllianzJD, JD’s insurance arm and a joint venture with German’s Allianz, has also opened a green channel for 24-hour claims settlement and rescue services for clients in Henan.

Many touching scenes of JD couriers have been captured by Internet users as they lend their hands in helping the local community in escorting children and elderly people wading in the water, or pushing cars out of the deep puddles.

In 2012, JD.com’s founder Richard Liu announced a company regulation stating that if a disaster happens anywhere in the country, the nearest JD warehouse should immediately donate and transport its goods to meet the emergency demands and that the management of any such warehouse would not need to obtain prior approval.