Sep 14, 2020|
JDer Lab #2 with Alexander Kremer: Rolling-up His Sleeves on the Frontlines to Get the Job Done
by Kelly Dawson
JD.com’s more than 280,000 employees range from warehouse workers to world-renowned doctors, with a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise. In the next installment of our JDer Lab series, we speak to another JDer about what it’s really like to work for China’s largest retailer.
One might expect that he would spend most of his time behind a desk—but as Kremer told us, he first got a taste of the company’s hands-on work culture when he was sent to Suqian, a Chinese city in northern Jiangsu province, to man a customer call center, an experience that really drove home how much the company values customers and high-quality service, he said. Unlike other companies, JD does not outsource customer service.
In his two years with the company Kremer has also served on some of JD’s other frontlines, as part of the company’s tradition of inviting “white collar” workers to support logistics and “last mile” delivery services during the annual 618 Grand Promotion and Singles Day (November 11th) periods. “That’s exciting, because it’s a really important part of our business,” Kremer said. “I think it’s something that could only happen here [at JD].”
That tradition is just one of the many ways in which the team comes together to pull off the 618 (June 18) mid-year shopping festival, which this year grossed 269.2 billion yuan for the company. Kremer’s team put in extensive preparation and thought into making the promotion enjoyable and exciting for consumers, working closely with sales partners and celebrating with them as the promotion proved successful, he said.
These days Kremer is most excited about tackling omnichannel integration in JD’s supermarket division. As the company has expanded into different formats, including offline, multi-channel and online, customers can now expect even faster delivery—even within half an hour of purchase in some cases. As always, the goal is to ensure the customer receives their order as quickly as possible at reasonable cost, he said.
(kellydawson@jd.com)
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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