May 27, 2017|
Mattel and JD.com Extend Partnership, Bringing More Fun to Chinese Children
In celebration of Children’s Day in China, JD.com, China’s largest retailer, and toy maker Mattel Inc have announced an extension to their partnership to bring popular toys to China.
The companies, which have been working together since 2013 to offer Fisher Price, Barbie, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels, Mega Bloks and more on JD, held a joint event on May 27 in Beijing to commemorate the extended partnership and will roll out special sales and discounts for JD customers of Mattel brands and toys.
The renewed partnership comes as Mattel is launching its new campaign “Thomas and Yongbao’s Friendship Journey”. Thomas, the No.1 blue engine from the Island of Sodor and his Chinese engine friend Yongbao, who was officially launched last year, are now on a journey, inviting kids across China to join them in delivering happiness and making friends. The campaign will start from the 1st Chinese stage show of Thomas & Friends—Here Comes the Carnival, which will premiere in Beijing before embarking on a national tour.
JD is an official retailer of Yongbao and other Thomas toys. In addition, millions of Barbie dolls have been snapped up by JD.com shoppers since Mattel began selling on the company’s platform. As Chinese consumers become more concerned with high-quality branded products, demand for the best imported brands of toys has strengthened. According to GfK, Chinese toy market was more than 55 billion RMB in sales last year.
“China is now home to an estimated 200 million children younger than 14 years old,” said Carol Fung, President of JD Fast Moving Consumer Goods. “These children, as well as their parents, are becoming loyal fans of the characters and toys made famous by top-quality international brands such as Mattel. We know they will welcome the chance to buy both exciting new products and longtime favorites from the most trusted seller in China.