Apr 19, 2017|
Kiwis Return to China from New Zealand to Find Huge Demand
A new collaboration between JD.com and New Zealand’s Zespri will send more kiwifruits to their place of origin: China
JD.com, China’s largest online retailer, is launching a direct sales flagship store for imported Zespri kiwifruits following a blockbuster year for sales of the fruit on the site. To commemorate the new collaboration, JD.com’s 226.6 million customers will get early access to the first kiwifruit harvest of the 2017, which begins this month. And with JD.com’s state-of-the-art logistics network, shoppers who buy the fruit can receive their orders on the same day or next day in tier-1 and 2 cities.
Most people assume that Kiwis are originally from New Zealand, but in fact they originate from China. They didn’t become a popular fruit, however, until after they spread to New Zealand in the early 20th Century, where they were originally known as “Chinese gooseberries.” (Read all about it in this article from 1985 by Steve Lohr of The New York Times.)
Regarded as a superfruit because of its high fiber, potassium and vitamin C content, kiwifruits became popular among American servicemen in New Zealand during World War II, and were eventually renamed after New Zealand’s national bird. They have since become one of the country’s biggest exports.
In recent years, the fruit has enjoyed something of a homecoming as they are increasingly used for making fruit juice and yogurt, and Chinese consumers’ appetites for imported fruits grow. In 2016, kiwis accounted for approximately 15% of all fruit sold by JD.com, a huge proportion given the booming online sales of more traditionally popular fruits in China like bananas, apples, pineapples, and local favorites like pomelos and loquats. Meanwhile, China is one of the fastest growing markets for Zespri globally, with exports to the market increasing 30% last year.
The soaring popularity of kiwis comes as Chinese consumers are increasingly buying products from abroad. To meet the dramatic increase in consumer spending on imported produce over the last few years, JD.com has leveraged its global reach to make it easier than ever for consumers to buy imported goods.
The partnership with Zespri will be supported by FruitDay, China’s leading produce importer. JD.com became a strategic investor in FruitDay in 2015, and works with FruitDay to develop innovative e-commerce sales strategies targeting the China market for global fruit producers. The partnership with FruitDay enables JD customers to enjoy the benefits of the company’s outstanding global cold-chain logistics expertise, which ensures fruit from abroad arrives in the best possible condition.
Consumers appreciate both the high quality that brands like Zespri offer, and the ability to deliver fresh produce right to their doors at amazing speeds, which result in the amazing growth of fresh produce category. The partnership is a big step for helping Zespri tap into the Chinese consumer market.
Jul 30, 2018|
Karen Murrell-JD.com Partnership Brings New Zealand Glamor to China
Chinese consumers shopping on JD Worldwide can now enjoy top-quality lipstick made with natural ingredients thanks to a new partnership announced this week between China’s largest retailer, JD.com, and New Zealand’s top selling lipstick brand, Karen Murrell.
Karen Murrell promises its customers organic, environmentally-friendly cosmetics with a premium user experience. The company guarantees its products are never tested on animals, and are made using only the finest natural ingredients, including avocado oil, evening primrose oil, candelilla, carnauba wax, cinnamon, and sweet orange. The brand’s use of natural ingredients provides lips with moisturization and nourishment with every application, unlike other lipsticks brands, which can cause drying and discoloration after long-term use.
JD will leverage its capabilities to help Karen Murrell further its development in the Chinese market, which has long been the focus of the company’s overseas expansion strategy. The partnership will include several SKUs available via direct sales and the opening an online flagship store, both on the company’s cross-border e-commerce platform, JD Worldwide.
The flagship store will allow Karen Murrell to increase its brand awareness and introduce new products to the Chinese market, while its main line of lipstick products will enjoy the full force of JD’s capabilities in logistics and market reach. The two companies will work together on marketing and advertising, while ensuring that inventory is adjusted to meet the rapidly rising demand among Chinese consumers for Karen Murrell’s uniquely sustainable cosmetic goods.
Lipstick sales in China almost doubled last year, outstripping growth in other categories of the fast-growing cosmetics industry, including eye and facial makeup. Sales of lipstick on JD’s online platform have also surged, growing 187% year-on-year during the company’s recent June 18 annual sales anniversary period.
“We are delighted to welcome Karen Murrell to JD Worldwide’s growing selection of top brand international cosmetic goods,” said Ye Yang, General Manager of JD Worldwide. “Karen Murrell’s natural lipstick is free from coal tar, carmine, mineral oils, triclosan, and parabens, ensuring that the JD brand remains a guarantee of both safety and quality in the eyes of our users. With growing concern among Chinese consumers about the environmental impact of their purchases, Karen Murrell’s proven commitment to sustainability makes them a perfect partner for us to meet this rising demand for green products.”
“The Chinese market is a top priority for us right now,” said Karen Murrell, CEO of Karen Murrell Enterprises. “JD’s capabilities, from marketing to logistics, give us a huge advantage in reaching Chinese consumers with our products. With sustainability and natural sourcing at the heart of our brand, we’re thrilled to partner with a company who shares our commitment.”
JD has been actively introducing more sustainable products on its platform to reflect the increasingly discerning preferences of Chinese consumers. In 2017, the total volume of green products available on JD increased by more than half (54.5%). The total volume of green purchases made on JD increased by 71%, contributing to 15.1% of total sales on the platform during the same period.
Jul 24, 2017|
JD Announces Launch of Reckitt Benckiser’s Online Flagship Store
As China’s largest retailer, JD.com is committed to offering consumers the most diverse selection of quality products from overseas. JD is delighted to announce that UK-based health, hygiene and home products leader Reckitt Benckiser (RB) has opened an online flagship store on the JD Worldwide, JD.com’s cross-border e-commerce platform.
Many of RB’s iconic brands are already big hits on JD.com, including Durex; anti-bacterial brand Dettol; leading dishwasher detergent brand Finish; French hair removal product brand Veet; foot care brand Dr. Scholl’s; and leading nutritional supplement brand Schiff.
The launch of RB’s flagship store comes at an opportune time as women are increasingly driving growth in JD, especially in categories such as healthcare and hygiene. The outstanding performance of hygiene brands such as Veet – whose sales on JD grew four times from 2013 to 2016 – reflects the important trend. In addition, overall sales of healthcare products during JD.com’s most recent June 18 anniversary sale increased by 120%, compared with the same period of 2016.
The flagship store will feature some of the most trusted health and hygiene brands from the US, including Movefree joint supplements; Megared cardiovascular supplements; and Airborne immune supplements – all of which are leading brands in their respective categories – as well as names previously unavailable in China, such as Aerogard, Australia’s #1 personal insect repellent brand.
“In recent years, Chinese consumers – especially women – have shown more and more appetite for leading foreign healthcare and hygiene brands, greatly expanding the opportunities for cross-border commerce,” said Kaisi Li, Deputy General Manager of JD Worldwide. “The RB family of brands is already highly sought after in China, and with the launch of its online flagship store on JD Worldwide, consumers will be able to purchase a wider selection of RB products with the convenience and peace of mind that they have come to expect from JD.”
“We are thrilled to deepen our cooperation with JD.com, China’s largest online retailer,” said Spin Liu, Director of RB Cross-border eCommerce. “RB’s wide range of top brands and JD’s leading e-commerce platform are a powerful combination in this fast growing market. We look forward to working closely with JD to further expanding RB’s relationship with China’s consumers.”
JD.com is already one of the largest retailers of RB’s Dettol and Durex brands in China. During JD’s 2017 “6.18” anniversary sales event last month, Durex brand alone saw 40 million items sold on JD.com with transaction volume increasing 125% YoY.
Two Years After JD Worldwide Launch, Chinese Cross-Border E-commerce is on the Rise
