Nov 7, 2018|
New Study Reveals Chinese Consumers Demand Speed and Authenticity
Chinese consumers are quickly adapting to buying groceries online for immediate delivery from local offline stores – everything from fresh seafood, to craft beer and fresh cut flowers, according to a new joint study conducted by JD, Walmart, Tencent and JD Daojia.
In China, where over 15% of consumption takes place online, compared to just 9% in the US, consumers have been faster to embrace online grocery shopping. The new study found that over 67% of those interviewed out of a sample of 1,774 Chinese consumers actively use services like JD Daojia, which can deliver goods from local offline shops, including Walmart, to customers in under an hour.
The report shows that an increasing number of online shoppers in China view a guarantee of product authenticity as the most important factor when buying goods, with price often viewed as secondary in importance to considerations like product variety, speed of delivery and after-sales service. Consumers carefully consider purchases that can improve their lifestyle, reflect their individuality and be delivered in a convenient way that fits in with their busy modern lives.
The new research underscores the importance of JD’s Boundaryless Retail vision, to enable consumers to buy whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want it. The report identifies omnichannel integration in the Chinese supermarket industry as a major trend going forward, as online and offline players in the industry are increasingly combining resources to meet the diverse needs of modern-day shoppers: bringing together the convenience and diversity of online shopping with offline retail’s immediacy of service and superior user experience.
“In the minds of many shoppers, there is already little distinction between online and offline retail, and this is why JD’s work with offline partners to make ‘Boundaryless Retail’ a reality is so important,” said Kenny Li, VP of JD.com.
“The increasingly diverse needs of consumers require a correspondingly dynamic approach, and partnerships with leading offline retailers like Walmart, are redefining what shopping can be in the age of e-commerce.”
“China is at the forefront of retail innovation and Walmart is moving ever-faster to innovate and meld the offline and online retail services for our customers,” said Jordan Berke, Vice President of Hypermarket E-commerce, Walmart China.
“Through our strong partnership with JD, JD Daojia and Tencent, we will continue to provide the leading omnichannel shopping experience to our customers in China.”
JD’s partnership with Walmart began in 2016, and last year blossomed into a wide-ranging strategic cooperation in terms of inventory integration, customer integration and store and platform integration. Currently, around 180 Walmart offline stores in 29 cities have been connected with JD’s inventory management system, meaning that when shopping on JD, consumers will get the products delivered from Walmart’s store rather than JD’s warehouse if consumers are closer to the Walmart offline store.
JD offers its technology and infrastructure to other retailers and industries as well, under its “Retail as a Service” or RaaS, strategy.
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)
JD.com Enters All Cargo Air Freight Market Through Partnership with Tianjin Air Cargo
