Mar 6, 2024| JD Retail

JD’s Marketplace Introduces New Customer-Centric Shipping Policies, Including Free Shipping Across 13 Product Categories

Vivian Yang

On March 4th, JD.com announced its latest initiative to enhance its free shipping services. JD’s marketplace currently offers free shipping on 90% of its third-party products. Now, the platform has extended its free shipping benefit even further, introducing a new policy for the remaining 10% of products: a minimum order value for free shipping is set at an affordable RMB 59 yuan (approximately $8.2 US dollars). This initiative is aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for consumers on JD’s rapidly expanding marketplace.

To accommodate this change, merchants currently not offering free shipping or only offering it for orders over 59 yuan are required to update their shipping policies by the end of March. This adjustment can apply to individual items or the aggregate value of multiple products from the same store, with certain exclusions for special items and deliveries to remote areas.

Highlighting JD’s dedication to consumer convenience, thirteen product categories – including home appliances, kitchenware, and health care products – will benefit from the zero-shipping fee policy, regardless of the order value.

This move follows an announcement last August when JD introduced unlimited free shipping for its self-operated products to JD PLUS members and significantly reduced the minimum order value for free shipping for non-PLUS members from 99 yuan to 59 yuan.

In addition to shipping enhancements, JD also recently upgraded the “Free At-Home Return and Exchange” service on its first-party platform. This service enables customers to easily return and exchange items marked with the service tag, irrespective of size, weight, or quantity. JD is actively encouraging third-party merchants to adopt this service, with plans to integrate over 90% of them within the next year, further simplifying the return process for JD shoppers.

JD.com’s continuous investment in services and close collaboration with merchants are driven by a vision to offer cost-effective options without compromising on quality. By focusing on creating a more orderly, efficient, and thriving platform ecosystem, JD.com is setting new standards in e-commerce, enhancing merchant services, and fostering growth and competitiveness.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)

Dec 31, 2024| JD Logistics, JD Retail

JD.com Enhances Consumer Access to Authentic Chagan Lake Fish

Vivian Yang

The annual winter fishing festival at Chagan Lake has begun on December 28 in Jilin, China^, and JD Super, the supermarket division of JD.com, is transforming consumer access to fish from this esteemed location by offering direct, high-quality catches straight from the lake.

Direct Sales from the Lake

Chagan Lake, one of China’s top ten freshwater lakes and the largest inland lake in Jilin Province, is famous for its crystal-clear waters and rich fish resources, hosting over 60 species, including carp, grass carp, and crucian carp. Known for its unique flavor and exceptional quality, Chagan Lake fish has become a prized local specialty, attracting culinary enthusiasts from across the country. However, its increasing popularity has also led to issues with counterfeit products.

In an innovative exclusive sales partnership with the local fishing industry, JD Super has established a customized procurement model to deliver premium Chagan Lake fish directly to consumers. By creating a direct supply chain with the fishing grounds, JD Super ensures the freshness and quality of the fish, selecting only those caught on the same or the previous day. Consumers also enjoy added value, with orders such as a 5-kilogram purchase averaging a weight of 5.4 kilograms.

A JD Super Procurement and Sales Manager conducts a live-stream sale of fish directly from Chagan Lake

On the opening day of the winter fishing season, industry experts reported stable production, with an estimated catch of around 1.5 million kilograms. Despite a slight increase in the ex-factory price of Chagan Lake fish this year, JD Super has introduced substantial agricultural product discounts for specific types of Chagan Lake fish to improve affordability and support the branding and recognition of this local delicacy.

Accelerated Nationwide Cold-Chain Delivery

JD Logistics, the logistics arm of JD.com, plays a vital role in this initiative. Traditionally, Chagan Lake fish were transported through multiple intermediaries, which increased costs and delivery times. This year, JD Logistics has streamlined the process by establishing a transit hub in Changchun, the capital of Jilin Province. By leveraging extensive air resources, they have launched nearly 20 air routes from major nearby cities such as Changchun, Harbin, and Shenyang, significantly reducing shipping times. JD Logistics continues to optimize transportation routes and enhance its delivery network, achieving an average delivery time reduction of 3 hours for fish orders, ensuring that consumers nationwide receive first-rate fish quickly and in peak condition.

This strategic collaboration between JD.com’s retail and logistics services and the Chagan Lake fishing industry not only delivers authentic, high-quality fish to consumers but also strengthens the local economy and promotes sustainable fishing practices. By supporting the branding of Chagan Lake fish, JD is helping to elevate the profile of this local specialty, ensuring its reputation continues to grow both nationally and internationally.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)

Dec 25, 2024| JD Health, JD Retail

JD Report: Five Health Consumption Trends for 2024

Vivian Yang

On December 24th, JD.com’s Consumption and Industry Development Research Institute, in collaboration with HealthInsight, a media think tank specializing in the health sector, released an insightful analysis of China’s 2024 health consumption landscape. The report outlines five key trends in the health industry, highlighting the increasing consumer demand for proactive health management and the industry’s evolving dynamics.

The Rise of Weight Management Solutions

Modern lifestyles have contributed to rising obesity rates with 34.3% of Chinese adults classified as overweight and 16.4% as obese. Obesity is associated with over 200 diseases, posing significant health risks. The introduction of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist for long-term weight management, in China marks a promising development. The market for GLP-1 weight loss drugs in China is projected to exceed 37.852 billion RMB by 2030. On JD.com, searches related to “weight management” have increased more than 3.8 times year-on-year, with growing demand for diet products and home fitness equipment such as kettlebells and leg trainers.

Addressing the Growing Mental Health Concerns
With 95 million people in China affected by depression, mental health is an increasing concern. Consumers are turning to books, stress-relief toys, online consultations, and meditation to manage stress. On JD.com, searches for “mental health” have doubled, with significant interest in emotional release tools and psychological books. JD Health’s Internet Hospital now offers specialized clinics with over 2,300 counselors addressing issues like anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.

The Booming Sleep Economy
Over 300 million Chinese experience sleep disorders, often due to irregular schedules. The sleep economy is booming with the market size reaching 495.58 billion RMB in 2023 and expected to surpass 600 billion RMB by 2027. JD.com has seen a 210% increase in searches for sleep aids, with high demand for sleep headphones, eye masks, and nutritional supplements. Sales of sleep-enhancing pillows and mattresses have also grown significantly.

Everyday Integration of Medical Devices

The home medical device market is expanding as consumers increasingly monitor their health independently. Products like heart rate-monitoring smartwatches and glucose meters are becoming household staples. This year, JD.com data shows that purchases of vision care devices and smart health monitoring equipment have tripled. The market for home medical devices is expected to reach 380 billion RMB by 2025.

Shifting Focus to Preventive Health Management

Emphasizing early screening and intervention, JD.com has seen a significant rise in orders for health services such as genetic testing and early cancer screening. These trends highlight a shift from treatment to prevention, driven by technological advancements and policy support. As consumer awareness grows, health consumption is becoming a major force in economic development, presenting opportunities for rapid growth in the health industry.

In conclusion, the 2024 health consumption landscape is characterized by a strong shift towards proactive health management and the integration of technology into everyday health practices. These trends not only reflect changing consumer priorities but also indicate significant growth opportunities for businesses in the health sector. JD.com remains committed to supporting these developments by providing innovative products and services tailored to the evolving needs of consumers across the dynamic health sector.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)

JD.com Launches “Free At-Home Return” Service for Self-Operated Sales