Oct 20, 2023| ESG

JD.com Joins UN Global Compact’s “Forward Faster” Initiative for 2030

Vivian Yang

On October 17th, JD.com announced it has joined the UN Global Compact’s “Forward Faster” initiative, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainability and global development. The announcement coincided with Sandra Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and CEO and Executive Director of UN Global Compact, visiting JD.com’s headquarters in Beijing, which marked the first enterprise visit of her China tour this week.

The UN Global Compact’s Forward Faster initiative, launched on September 18, 2023, calls on business leaders worldwide to take measurable, credible, and ambitious action in five areas — gender equality, climate action, living wage, water resilience, and finance & investment. These areas have the power to accelerate progress across all SDGs, enabling the private sector to collectively make the biggest and fastest impact by 2030.

“It is a great pleasure connecting with JD.com’s first female CEO, Sandy Xu, and gaining insights into the company’s history and impressive e-commerce platform,” said Sanda Ojiambo. “JD.com has effectively integrated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its core operations. We appreciate and welcome the company’s commitment to Forward Faster.”

Sandy Xu, CEO of JD.com, said, ” With our extensive supply chain, technology prowess, and a strong workforce of hundreds of thousands of employees – predominantly from rural backgrounds -JD.com is proud to offer diverse employment avenues. We look forward to collaborating with the UN Global Compact as we strengthen our endeavors in green supply chains, poverty alleviation, and holistic employee welfare. As part of ‘Forward Faster’, our immediate focus is gender equality, underscoring our broader commitment to the global Sustainable Development Goals.”

Sandy Xu (left) and Sanda Ojiambo look at JD’s recyclable delivery boxes, known as the Green Stream Boxes

JD.com has actively participated in various sustainable development activities through the UN Global Compact. The company’s low-carbon operating practices under its Green Stream Initiative, such as promoting green packaging, adopting new energy delivery vehicles, utilizing rooftop solar power for logistics parks, and incorporating sustainable building materials in office buildings, were recognized as best practices in the UN Global Compact’s 2021 whitepaper “Corporate Net Zero Pathway.” JD.com was also among the early adopters to join the UN Global Compact’s Climate Ambition Accelerator (CAA) and Target Gender Equality (TGE) programs in 2022. Notably, JD’s “Sunshine Angel” initiative, which provides people with disabilities with online customer service job opportunities led by women leaders, has been included as a best practice case in TGE.

As JD.com gears up for its upcoming Singles’ Day Grand Promotion from October 23 to November 11, the company has joined forces with several renowned fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies to establish the Green Impact Partners Alliance. This ambitious venture aims to jointly implement actions for green consumption. Covering hundreds of millions of consumers, it is the largest green consumption initiative in the FMCG industry. The initiative includes tree-planting based on sales volumes and a one-yuan donation for afforestation with every consumer purchase. Through carbon-reducing efforts on both the supply and demand sides, JD.com effectively supports responsible production and consumption.

(vivian.yang@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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