Jun 1, 2020|
Li Xiaobai: World Without Waste is Another Marathon
by Vivian Yang
When COVID-19 separated marathon fans from running together, some of them never slowed down in spreading their ideas. On May 28th, Li Xiaobai, seasoned Chinese marathoner, visited JD.com’s headquarters in Beijing and met with JD’s Chief Strategy Officer Jon Liao for a conversation on environmental sustainability
Li Xiaobai and Jon Liao, May 28, 2020
Li is the founder of the New Silk Road fashion organization, but he is more widely known as the first Chinese member in the Marathon Grand Slam Club which comprises finishers of 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, plus the Arctic Ocean for the North Pole Marathon. Li was ranked as the No.1 Outstanding Marathoner in China in 2017.
To keep progressing on his 200+ marathon record during COVID-19, the 63-year-old is currently busy joining online marathons, including a virtual version of the 2020 Boston Marathon, which has been canceled for the first time in its 124-year history.
“It’s a very natural thing for humans to love running in nature, and it’s also a very natural thing for me to protect her while running,” said Li when talking about the famous photo which captured him picking up plastic water bottles scattered by other athletes during the 2017 Hood to Coast Relay in China.
Li Xiaobai, 2017
The photo went viral and raised a heated discussion in the running community, making people think about environmental protection and self-discipline while completing more grand running challenges. Consequentially, some concrete waste control measures have since been carried out.
From both individual and business perspectives, CSO Liao seconded Li’s points. Liao also related Li’s action to JD’s current partnership with Coco-Cola to promote circular economy in China.
In supporting Coco-Cola’s World Without Waste initiative, JD’s Green Stream team piloted a recycling program for plastic beverage bottles in late 2019. Over 50,000 bottles collected from households in Shanghai were reused as materials that manufactured JD couriers’ uniforms and other lifestyle products. Li will work happily as a volunteer to promote the idea of World Without Waste, a program jointly launched by Coca-Cola and JD.com.
The partnership is the first attempt at cross-industry collaboration to explore a circular solution between an international company and the Chinese e-commerce company, leveraging the know-how, resources and operational excellence of the two partners.
Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO James Quincey(second left), JD Retail CEO Lei Xu(far right), JD Logistics CEO Zhenhui Wang(far left) with a model who wears a JD Courier’s uniform made by recycled beverage bottles, at World Economic Forum in Davos in January, 2020.
“We believe that consumption is at the center of the overall environment. It does not only matter to the value chain. How to achieve responsible consumption in the areas of product design, marketing, transportation, purchasing and disposal will be critical to solving social and environmental issues,” said Liao. “We want to join hands with all stakeholders to improve this ecosystem together.”
In May 2020, JD.com announced the company’s updated mission which put sustainability as one of its three core development pillars: “Sustainability refers to our desire as partners… to protect the ecological balance, and to be a grateful and responsible corporate citizen, achieving a balance of people, planet and profit, and to do our part for the sustainable development of the world,” Chairman and CEO Richard Liu wrote in an internal letter.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” It’s not a mere coincidence for both Li and Liao to have deep faith in this saying.
Apr 18, 2024|
JD.com Awarded 2024 INFORMS Prize for Excellence in Operations Research and Analytics
JD.com is honored to announce that it has been awarded the 2024 INFORMS Prize. This recognition makes JD.com the first Asia-based enterprise to receive the award, highlighting its pioneering use of advanced analytics and operations research/management sciences (OR/MS) within its business operations.
The INFORMS Prize is awarded an organization that has repeatedly applied the principles of advanced analytics and OR/MS in pioneering, varied, novel, and lasting ways. Previous recipients include Walmart, Wayfair, Amazon, UPS, Booz Allen Hamilton, BNSF Railway, Walt Disney Company, U.S. Air Force, General Motors, Intel, HP, IBM, Ford, Procter & Gamble and GE Research.
Speaking on behalf of the selection committee, Mehmet Gumus, 2024 INFORMS Prize committee chair, remarked: “JD.com is showcasing data science as a source of business success and a necessary element to achieve customer satisfaction with continuous and dedicated practice. JD.com is truly deserving of this prestigious prize, and the entire O.R. and analytics community joins INFORMS in thanking them for their priceless contributions to the field and the business world.”
JD.com’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and customer service through OR/MS has been integral to its success. The company has developed an independently managed intelligent supply chain system that utilizes cutting-edge operations research algorithms to optimize warehouse management and logistics operations. This includes the operation of hundreds of intelligent warehouses and dozens of “Asia No. 1” intelligent logistics parks.
“We are honored to accept the INFORMS Prize and will continue to be steadfast in our dedication to leveraging the transformative potential of operations research,” said Sandy Xu, CEO of JD.com. “Our company’s supply chain not only aims to lead the industry, but also enhance the efficiency and well-being of our entire ecosystem.”
By the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, JD’s supply chain infrastructure assets had grown to RMB 153.8 billion, an increase of 16% year-on-year. Managing over 10 million self-operated SKUs, JD has achieved a global leading average inventory turnover of 30.3 days. This operational prowess enables JD to fulfill 95% of retail orders within 24 hours, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction and setting new standards in the industry.
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JD Super’s Ninth Annual “Baby Party” Campaign: Supporting Families with Newborns
JD Super, JD.com’s omni-channel supermarket division, successfully concluded its ninth annual “Baby Party” campaign, which ran from April 1st to 14th. Collaborating with leading brands from home and abroad, the campaign introduced new products and services designed to improve the shopping experience and reduce expenses for families with newborns.
Pioneering services included the “Fresh Milk Powder Express,” guaranteeing delivery of farm-to-consumer baby formula within 28 days, and the “Free Diaper Offers for Newborns” initiative, set to distribute one million diaper packs annually. Moreover, the “Life’s First Bottle” project significantly reduces the costs of high-quality milk bottles by offering them exclusively online at a 50% discount.
JD Super’s specialized after-sales services extend to over 90% of the company’s self-operated products, offering services such as free returns or exchanges. Another highlight was the introduction of the Chun Rui milk formula, developed in partnership with Feihe, a leader in infant milk production. This collaboration ensures top-quality products at better value for families.
Additionally, JD Super launched an online portal dedicated to public welfare activities, which promotes cost-saving measures, shares knowledge on baby care, and supports charity initiatives.
As part of its commitment to philanthropy, JD Super donated essential baby supplies valued at over one million yuan to 1,000 families in the economically disadvantaged Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, supporting local parents in this region.
The 2024 Report on Cost of Childbearing and Childrearing in China shed light on the challenges faced by parents, including limited free time and growing anxiety over rising costs and product safety. JD Super aims to mitigate some of these concerns by providing support to families nationwide.
JD Kicks Off 618 Grand Promotion, Sales Soared across Categories
