Apr 3, 2020| ESG

Harvard Business Review Highlights How JD “Delivers” in the Fight against COVID-19

Ling Cao

by Ling Cao

Harvard Business Review this week highlighted how JD.com and other Chinese e-commerce giants responded to COVID-19 as the pandemic emerged in Wuhan, China and what can be learned from the experience.

The article highlights: “The experience from China suggests that the most valuable contributions will come both from leveraging their digital logistics platforms and their high-tech last-mile delivery capabilities and from quickly engaging newly available workers with transferrable skills from other sectors.” Multiple projects and approaches by JD were highlighted as best practices.

Regarding technology, the story highlights JD’s rapid action in deploying drones and autonomous delivery robots during this period: “JD.com and other retailers deployed their new automated technologies into Wuhan. They shipped smart vehicles to the Wuhan border, loaded the local map, and remotely operated (from Beijing, about 750 miles away) deliveries of donated goods to hospitals and household purchases to communities in Wuhan.” It added, “Delivering essential supplies to villages across Baiyangdian, a large lake in Hubei province, would take at least six hours by the small road or ferry that remained open. In a moment of creativity, JD’s local logistics team proposed deploying the drones, which did the job in just 20 minutes.” These contactless delivery methods also include lockers, which were mentioned by the magazine as well.

The magazine also introduces how JD’s 7FRESH offered employment during this period. It shares, “China’s e-commerce supply chains were suddenly confronted with a shortage of human resources.” While JD.com’s 7FRESH launched a “talent sharing” plan to hire short-term staff from restaurants, hotels, cinemas and other temporarily closed retail establishments. JD was “able to leverage these workers’ supply chain and logistics skills, which meant they only had to provide limited training to transfer the skills to the e-commerce context.”

The article also mentions JD’s efforts in providing online medical services. It shares, “JD.com ramped up its telemedicine business, quickly adding more doctors to its network. In a matter of days, it not only became a major channel for processing the purchase of medical products and standard telemedicine, but also turned itself into one of the front-line Covid-19 triage services for citizens all over the country. It added, “JD.com also rolled out a smart epidemic assistant to share official information about the virus and offered psychological service online.”

(ling.cao@jd.com)

Dec 3, 2024| ESG

JD Foundation Advances Disability Support Initiatives in Strategic Partnership

Vivian Yang

On November 29, in celebration of the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities, JD Foundation, in collaboration with the Beijing Disabled Persons’ Federation and the Beijing Disabled Persons’ Welfare Foundation, hosted a series of charitable events at JD.com’s headquarters. JD Foundation and the Beijing Disabled Persons’ Welfare Foundation have established a strategic partnership focused on improving the quality of life for people with disabilities, promoting their integration into society, exploring new philanthropic models, and creating awareness for public welfare institutions. These efforts are collectively aimed at achieving high-quality development in disability support services.

JD.com has a longstanding commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities since its inception. As early as 2005, when JD.com entered the e-commerce sector, the company has employed individuals with disabilities. Over the years, the company has expanded its efforts through skills training and empowerment initiatives, facilitating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In October of 2013, JD Customer Service launched the “Sunshine Angels” project, through which hundreds of individuals with disabilities have been employed, with plans to offer part-time positions to 1,000 more. JD.com currently employs over 4,000 individuals with disabilities, a number that continues to grow.

The November 29 event featured a charity bazaar with handicrafts created by people with disabilities. The well-attended bazaar showcased a variety of unique items, including crocheted wool flowers, ornaments, enamelware, bracelets, Beijing silk figurines, children’s paintings, paper cuttings, and postcards. Proceeds from the sales will go toward disability-related charitable causes. JD employees who made purchases each received a certificate and a commemorative badge recognizing their support and participation in disability advocacy.

One of the event’s highlights was a guide dog demonstration, where three guide dog users and their canine companions captured the attention of attendees. The guide dogs demonstrated their ability to assist their owners in navigating streets, avoiding obstacles, and ensuring safe travel. Guide dogs not only help visually impaired individuals to navigate and find destinations but also serve as protectors during emergencies. Beyond their practical assistance, these dogs are invaluable companions, providing emotional support to their owners.

The event also featured an inspiring performance by artists with disabilities from Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, and other regions, in which they presented a rich tapestry of songs, dances, instrumental music, and storytelling. The performance provided a vibrant, heartwarming cultural showcase to attendees.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)

Oct 30, 2024| ESG, JD Worldwide

Ochama Expands in Europe, Launches New Warehouse in Poland to Boost Efficiency

April Chai

Ochama, the European omni-channel retail brand of JD.com, Inc. (also known as JINGDONG), has announced the launch of a new automated warehouse in Poland, aimed at boosting operational efficiency and enhancing customer experience throughout the region.

The new warehouse is strategically located near the Polish-German border, spanning 27,000 square meters. Utilizing a flexible goods-to-person system, it improves picking efficiency to three times that of a traditional approach. The facility enables ochama to achieve 48-hour fulfillment across Poland, with some orders eligible for same-day delivery, while also raising the 48-hour fulfillment rate in Germany to 80%. Additionally, the warehouse utilizes a rooftop photovoltaic power system and new energy forklifts, underscoring ochama’s commitment to sustainability.

This expansion positions ochama to meet the evolving needs of its growing European customer base. Ochama’s orders in Poland and Germany have surged by 284% year-over-year from January to October this year. The new warehouse, alongside ochama’s five other warehouses in the Netherlands and France, will serve customers across 24 European countries. Through a regional distribution strategy, ochama deploys products closer to customers, reducing delivery times and enhancing service efficiency.

Ochama now offers home delivery in 24 European countries, with more than 900 pick-up points across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France, along with over 1,000 pick-up lockers in the Netherlands and Belgium. Through continuous innovation, infrastructure enhancements, and advanced fulfillment capabilities, ochama remains dedicated to providing European customers with an efficient, reliable shopping experience.

About ochama

Ochama is an innovative B2C omni-channel retailer that uses state-of-the-art retail and supply chain solutions to offer a comprehensive, full-category assortment of both top-rated and budget-friendly products at the best prices. A subsidiary of JD.com, Inc., China’s largest retailer by revenue, ochama leverages advanced supply chain technologies and automated warehouses to redefine the shopping landscape. Our slogan, “Shopping made simple,” perfectly captures our mission. We are dedicated to fulfilling all our customers’ needs and providing a shopping experience that is not only easy and convenient but also enjoyable and fun.

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