Sep 29, 2020|
JD Guarantees Authenticity of Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crabs
by Rachel Liu
As autumn arrives, many people across China are craving a delicious seasonal treat: Hairy crabs. Often enjoyed during Mid-Autumn Festival with family, the delicacy is much beloved.
In China, hairy crabs from Yangcheng Lake, Jiangsu province, have a special reputation for premium taste, but customers can’t always be certain that the crabs they’ve purchased are in fact harvested from this lake.
Data shows that in 2017, the actual market value of crabs harvested from Yangcheng Lake was RMB 300 million yuan, but the sales of hairy crab featuring the name of “Yangcheng Lake” was up to RMB 30 billion yuan that year. That indicates that about 99% of hairy crabs sold as having been harvested from the lake were fake, intentionally mislabeled to dupe customers.
JD is determined to ensure the authenticity of hairy crabs sold through its e-commerce platform. Its professional aquatic product buyers work almost year-round to guarantee that customers can have peace of mind when they purchase the crabs from JD.
Though the hairy crab is a seasonal food during autumn, one of JD’s professional buyers Jie noted that he and his colleagues begin visiting the farmers at the beginning of every year in preparation for the autumn sales. “We pick out the 30 best hairy crab suppliers from over 3000 ones to work with JD ,” said Jie.
To ensure 100% authenticity for Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, JD adheres to the strictest standard in the industry, requiring merchants to submit six certificates before they can sell the crabs on JD under the name “Yangcheng Lake hairy crab.”
“If you don’t have all six certificates, your product page cannot have the words ‘Yangcheng Lake’, because we want to ensure authenticity during every process before the product is launched on JD,” said Jie.
What’s more, each hairy crab sold on JD has a unique trace code. Customers can scan the QR code to see the comprehensive delivery process of the hairy crab from fishing, packaging and through delivery.
JD buyers also have strict processes for preventing the crabs from dying during delivery: “First of all, we would carefully select the products with best quality, and JD logistics will use cold-chain throughout the whole delivery process,” Jie said. “In this way, the percentage of dead crabs can be lowered to 4%.”
JD buyers also conduct random inspections of merchant facilities. If they find a problem, the merchants will be fined for all of their orders in the prior seven days. Thanks to these strict rules, customers enjoy a higher quality experience.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday approach, JD data found that sales of hairy crab have increased over 300% YOY in many cities. Sales of hairy crab from Beijing customers have ranked No.1 in the past two years, followed by Jiangsu province.
Nov 7, 2024|
CIIE 2024: JD.com to Expand Imports of Specialty Brands, Strengthen Healthcare Partnerships, and Enhance Logistics
At the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5, JD Super, the supermarket division of JD.com, announced a major initiative to broaden its selection of imported specialty. Over the next three years, JD Super plans to introduce over 1,000 new international brands to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, diverse imported goods.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Quality Imports
According to JD Worldwide’s “White Paper on 2024 China Cross-Border Consumption Trends,” more than 80% of Chinese consumers are interested in imported products, with many prioritizing authenticity, quality, and fast delivery. In response, JD has significantly expanded its range of international offerings. During the ongoing Singles’ Day Grand Promotion, sales of cross-border products have surged, with more than 600 brands experiencing a sales increase of over 100% compared to last year.
Strengthening High-Quality Food Partnerships
Demonstrating JD.com’s commitment to sourcing high-quality products, JD Super signed a new procurement agreement at CIIE with Huadong Foods and Teys, a major Australian beef brand under Cargill. Under this agreement, JD Super and Huadong Foods will procure $50 million of Teys beef throughout 2025. This partnership underscores JD’s strategy of collaborating with trusted suppliers to provide high-quality, affordable beef to Chinese consumers.
Delivering Authentic Global Goods Efficiently
JD Logistics has built a robust logistics network that spans bonded, direct mail, and overseas warehouses, facilitating fast deliveries of imported items across categories such as electronics, fashion, beauty, food, and baby products. In many major cities, delivery times have been reduced to under 48 hours.
For instance, JD Super’s partnership with Raub of Malaysia enables the import of Musang King durians, which are harvested at peak ripeness and air-shipped with cold chain logistics for delivery within 24 hours. Additionally, JD.com also secured an early supply of Chilean cherries, available since October, which can be delivered in as little as 30 minutes in many areas through JD NOW, its on-demand retail service.
JD.com’s “JD National Pavilions” program, which features over 150 country-themed flagship stores from more than 70 countries and regions, continues to be a cornerstone of its import strategy. Supported by embassies and reputable organizations, this initiative offers Chinese consumers access to premium products and cultural experiences from around the world. In April, JD launched the JD National Pavilion of Mali, introducing popular items like shea butter and garnering over 40,000 followers.
Expanding Healthcare and Logistics Partnerships
JD Health is also making strides at CIIE by strengthening partnerships with leading global healthcare companies, including Merck, Bayer, and Roche. As “China’s premier online health access point,” JD Health is committed to integrating digital and physical healthcare resources to improve access and convenience for patients.
Key collaborations include initiatives with Haleon to promote brain health and anti-aging for the “silver economy,” with MSD China on a digital diabetes management model, and with Teva Pharmaceuticals to provide patient education for conditions such as tardive dyskinesia (TD) and Huntington’s disease (HD).
On the logistics front, JD Logistics announced plans to double its overseas warehouse space by 2025 and expand its network of bonded and direct mail warehouses. JD Express now serves over 60 countries, enhancing cross-border delivery efficiency and supporting both brands and consumers.
Through these efforts, JD.com reaffirms its commitment to sourcing and delivering authentic, high-quality imported products to Chinese consumers, supported by an advanced supply chain that ensures a superior shopping experience.
(vivian.yang@jd.com)
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