Sportano and JD Logistics Collaboration Boosts Operational Efficiency by 200%
Sportano, the fast-growing Poland-based multi-brand sports retailer, and JD Logistics (also known as JINGDONG Logistics), a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, announced a significant 200% increase in Sportano’s warehouse operational efficiency since their collaboration began in 2023.
Sportano stands out as a comprehensive destination for sports enthusiasts, offering an extensive range of sporting equipment, apparel, and accessories from leading brands. As a digital-first retailer, Sportano has expanded its reach across Europe with its robust online platform, complemented by its inaugural brick-and-mortal location in Warsaw, Poland, launched in 2022. The retailer’s rapid growth underscored its need for omnichannel logistics support so it could continue providing exceptional customer service to sports enthusiasts across Europe.
The collaboration between Sportano and JD Logistics has effectively addressed Sportano’s logistical challenges, including managing a vast and varied inventory of over 100,000 product types, ranging from small items like fishhooks to larger items such as skis and tents. The seasonal nature of sporting goods and the need for omnichannel fulfillment further complicated the logistics process.
JD Logistics introduced a suite of advanced technological solutions, including the deployment of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) equipped with flexible and interchangeable storage receptacles. This innovative approach, coupled with an independently developed intelligent Warehousing Control System (WCS), has enabled efficient management of Sportano’s inventory, accommodating seasonal fluctuations and streamlining both direct-to-consumer and business-to-business orders.
The partnership between JD Logistics and Sportano has not only boosted Sportano’s operational efficiency by 200% but also set new standards for logistics excellence in the sports retail sector. The integration of cutting-edge technology and intelligent systems has transformed Sportano’s warehouse operations, ensuring more vigorous, flexible, and efficient order fulfillment.
Mengyao Chen, director of international business development at JD Logistics’ innovation lab JDL-X, said, “We are proud to partner with Sportano and apply our logistics expertise to tackle the unique challenges of the sports retail industry. This collaboration underscores our commitment to innovation and our ability to enhance operational efficiency for our clients.”
Tomasz Kupidura, Chief Logistics Officer at Sportano, said, “Working with JD Logistics has revolutionized our logistics operations, enabling us to meet our customers’ needs more effectively and efficiently. This partnership has been instrumental in our growth and success across the European market.”
JD Logistics’ technology products and solutions have garnered significant acclaim among external clients across diverse industries, including electronics, industrials, apparel, medicine, and automobiles, with logistics technology projects launched in over ten countries and regions globally, spanning Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America. By bringing its expertise to international markets, JD Logistics aims to redefine global logistics standards, advancing intelligent supply chain capabilities and driving innovation in the industry.
JD Logistics Announces Major Expansion of International Express Delivery Service
JD Logistics, the logistics arm of JD.com (also known as Jingdong), today announced a significant expansion of its international express delivery service. This expansion extends the service’s reach from initial hubs in Guangzhou and Shenzhen to nearly every district within China, offering an express delivery experience from China to global destinations for both individuals and businesses.
First launched in December 2023, JD’s international express delivery service has been utilized for sending a variety of products including documents, apparel and more, with the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany emerging as the top three destinations. The service not only processes individual orders but also caters to the needs of overseas consumers and merchants, ensuring a seamless and efficient logistics solution that spans continents.
JD Logistics is committed to leveraging our extensive network and logistics expertise to provide fast, reliable, and high-quality logistics services. Leveraging JD’s in-house couriers and logistics transportation network, the international express delivery service offers one-hour doorstep pick-up. Additionally, through JD’s air and land transportation network, international express shipments are prioritized and trackable throughout the journey.
JD.com is actively expanding its international supply chain and logistics capabilities. A recent collaboration with Geopost has enabled JD to develop comprehensive shipping solutions between China and Europe, setting a new benchmark in logistics excellence. Further amplifying its international footprint, JD’s partnership with Evri, the U.K.’s largest dedicated parcel delivery company, will facilitates the process for European businesses to access JD.com’s marketplace and connect with a broad Chinese consumer base.
Additionally, JD is adapting its highly efficient warehousing model, proven successful in China, to meet industry demands throughout Europe, North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Notably, JD Logistics’ overseas warehousing operations already offer same-day fulfillment services in key European markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, the U.K., Spain, and Poland, while ensuring rapid two-to-three-day delivery across 90% of regions in the United States.
JD Logistics’ venture into international express delivery is a natural extension of its existing capabilities. Over the past decade, the company has transformed the delivery landscape in China by pioneering same- and next-day delivery, setting a new standard of service for nearly 600 million consumers. This unmatched efficiency is achieved through JD Logistics’ six highly synergized logistics networks, encompassing warehousing, line-haul transportation, last-mile delivery, bulky item delivery, cold chain logistics, and cross-border logistics.
JD.com Boosts Trade-In Subsidies and Enhances Service for Household Appliances and Home Goods
JD.com announced on March 14 at the China Household Appliances and Consumer Electronics Expo (AWE2024) that it will invest RMB 3 billion yuan (USD ~420 million) in 2024, in collaboration with its partners, to further improve subsidies and services for customers trading in used home appliances and goods.
The company anticipates that over 20 million users will participate in JD’s trade-in program in 2024, with more than 30 million old appliances and home goods collected through the initiative.
Since launching its trade-in service for household appliances in 2016, JD.com has expanded to include household goods, covering more than 200 subcategories and reaching over 95% of cities and towns across the country.
To simplify the trade-in process, JD.com has implemented several user-friendly measures, such as complimentary doorstep pickup, dismantling, and recycling of old appliances, without limitations on their type, brand, age, or condition. The platform has also adopted a fixed-price deduction model for trade-ins to alleviate shoppers’ concerns.
Moreover, JD.com has led the way in offering trade-in services for home goods and is one of the first to provide integrated dismantling and delivery services for a wide range of appliances and items, including mattresses and electric locks. This comprehensive service model significantly reduces the hassle for consumers by eliminating the need to deal with multiple service providers.
The continuous improvements to JD.com’s trade-in services have earned increasing appreciation from Chinese consumers. In 2023, the platform collected over 15 million old appliances. Since March 2024, participation in JD’s trade-in program has grown by more than 150% year over year.
This initiative aligns with the action plan issued by the State Council of China on March 13th to promote large-scale equipment renewals and trade-ins of consumer goods. The plan focuses on enhancing convenience and streamlining the appliance update process by fostering collaboration among retailers, manufacturers, and recyclers to promote trade-ins, including the establishment of dedicated zones and incentives for trading in old appliances for energy-efficient models.
JD.com is dedicated to serving as a bridge between consumers and manufacturers, working with partners to promote the appliance industry’s high-quality growth, expedite the development of green supply chains, and provide reliable, cost-effective products. By offering comprehensive services and supporting brands, JD.com aims to encourage consumption renewal in the home appliances and goods sector.
JD Health Enhances Eldercare Services with Key Partnerships at Beijing Conference
On March 12th, JD Health held its fourth annual Partner Conference, coinciding with the Eldercare Consumption Summit in Beijing. The event attracted over 400 attendees, including eldercare specialists and industry representatives, and focused on developing a healthcare system that is both inclusive and adaptable, catering specifically to the dynamic needs of China’s aging population.
During the summit, JD Health established partnership agreements with ten industry-leading brands, including 3M, Cofoe, Yuwell, Haier, Innuovo, ITD GmbH, LePu Medical, Mateside, Omron, and Sonova. The partnerships also marked the establishment of the “Eldercare Brand Alliance,” dedicated to propelling innovation in eldercare services and products, ultimately improving the quality of life for senior citizens through collective efforts.
Jin Enlin, CEO of JD Health, highlighted the company’s commitment to leveraging collaborative resources to scale, standardize, and strengthen recognizable brands within the burgeoning silver economy. This strategic approach is poised to deliver unparalleled care and support to the elderly.
As China’s premier online health platform, JD Health offers a diverse range of over 30,000 brands and numerous subcategories in eldercare. Its expansive offerings cover various needs, from mobility aids to in-home care solutions, emphasizing a professional and user-centric ecosystem for eldercare products and services.
In January, JD Health launched a dedicated eldercare channel to provide a wide selection of products and services specifically designed for the elderly. The channel facilitates everything from the installation of nursing beds and at-home hearing aid services to 24/7 specialized online customer support, aiming to close the gap between professional healthcare services and the elderly community.
JD Health has also effectively integrated its online and offline services to establish a comprehensive eldercare service system. This includes setting up hearing centers and offering services such as medical escorting and quick home check-ups, enhancing the overall accessibility of eldercare.
With nearly 300 million people aged 60 and above, China’s silver economy is expanding rapidly. JD Health remains dedicated to serving this demographic, continuously working to improve the quality of life for senior citizens nationwide.
JD.com Announces Enhanced Spring Dawn Initiative with New AI Service Package
JD.com recently announced the launch of its enhanced Spring Dawn Initiative, a robust suite of solutions for third-party merchants to boost revenues, including new AI services designed to reduce merchants’ operational costs by up to 50%.
Since its initial launch in January 2023, the Spring Dawn Initiative has been a catalyst for growth, increasing the number of third-party merchants on our platform by 4.3 times. As we come closer to welcoming our one-millionth merchant partner, we are excited to launch the next phase of the initiative.
- Store Launch AI Assistant: Our cutting-edge AI assistant simplifies the store opening process, enabling merchants to launch their online presence in as fast as one minute. This tool acts as an assistant to answer any questions related to launching an online store.
- AI-Driven Content Creation: With tools like ai.jd.com and ling.jd.com, access to high-quality content production is easier than ever. From generating engaging images and marketing content to creating product recommendations and explanatory videos, these AI solutions save merchants significant costs annually.
- Digital Presenter Livestreaming Service: Leveraging AIGC technology, our digital presenter service allows for 24-hour uninterrupted live streaming, offering merchants a cost-effective way to engage with customers and drive sales without the hefty price tag associated with traditional live streaming. The digital presenter system can intelligently “read” product features and introductions by importing the product sales link, analyzing the selling points, and creating livestreaming scripts automatically. In early February, JD’s self-operated COACH flagship store adopted this feature, which sustained online traffic and drove conversions during the unstaffed Chinese New Year holiday. JD’s data shows that livestreaming achieved a 10% transaction rate during the holiday, increasing overall conversions by tenfold at just 1/10th the cost of traditionally hosted 24-hour live streaming.
- Intelligent Customer Service: Our AI customer service robot not only halves the cost of manual customer service operations but also significantly boosts sales conversion rates, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers.For instance, when users ask questions about product attributes, leveraging JD’s ChatRhino large language model (LLM), it can lead to a 5% increase in response accuracy by automatically generating replies. Additionally, it sharpens product recommendation accuracy by 27%, providing customers with personalized suggestions and insightful reasons behind them. We’re also pioneering the development of a merchant-exclusive consultancy feature, which delivers smart, data-driven business analysis reports with just a simple command, paving the way for more informed business decisions.
Our commitment extends beyond technological innovation. We continue to roll out cost-reduction policies, commission rebates, and operational support, including:
- Zero-cost Trial: A welcoming gesture for new merchants, allowing them to operate on JD.com without any deposits or platform fees, significantly lowering the barrier to entry.
- Enhanced Traffic and Business Intelligence Tools: From our “Price Star Rating” tool, which automatically enhances product exposure, to the “Business Opportunity Center” that identifies high-demand products for merchants, we provide a variety of tools designed to maximize visibility and sales potential.
- Operational Efficiency Tools: The Jingmai marketplace service equips merchants with 18 free tools covering product management, advertising, and order evaluation, streamlining daily operations and boosting efficiency.
At JD.com, we believe that an exceptional user experience is the cornerstone of merchant success. That’s why we’re expanding access to premium services like “Price Guarantee,” “Lightning-Fast Refund,” and “Free Returns and Exchanges” to third-party merchants.
JD.com Recognized by United Nations Global Compact for Advancing Gender Equality in the Workplace
To mark International Women’s Day, the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, released a new report titled Women at Work: Chinese companies taking action on gender equality on March 8, which highlights JD.com’s commitment to fostering gender equality in its workplace.
The report features a selection of case studies and personal stories from various industries across China, spotlighting exemplary practices and insights gained in advancing gender equality within the workplace. It offers a comprehensive overview of both global and China-specific progress in this arena through an examination of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on SDG 5: Gender Equality. Additionally, the report provides actionable gender equality roadmaps and essential resources for businesses, encouraging them to play a pivotal role in the collective journey towards achieving SDG 5.
Commenting on the report’s release, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact said: “In our ongoing journey toward achieving gender equality, it’s inspiring to see the commitment and innovative approaches detailed in Women at Work. During a recent visit to China, I witnessed firsthand the dynamic discussions and unwavering dedication among business leaders to advance this cause. This report is not just a reflection of current practices but a call to action for companies worldwide to amplify their efforts in fostering inclusive and equitable workplaces. This report underscores the urgency and importance of building a more gender-inclusive business landscape.”
JD.com is honored to be the first Chinese company visited by Ms. Ojiambo during her China trip, in which she met JD’s first female CEO, Sandy Xu, and gained insights into the company’s rich history and its commitment to SDGs in green supply chain, responsible consumption, and gender equality, among others.
A Shining Example of Empowerment
The report highlights the story of Han Xue, a customer service representative and mother living with a disability. She is a member of JD.com’s “Sunshine Angels” program, which provides online customer service job opportunities to people with disabilities. In her interview, Han said, “This job has not only allowed me to help others and forge friendships, but it also helped me regain confidence and zest for life.”
Han stressed the importance of striking a balance between work and family life, adding, “I aspire to be an optimistic and content mother.” She highlighted JD.com’s supportive environment, which recognizes and rewards her contributions, enabling her to excel professionally while being a devoted parent.JD’s “Sunshine Angels” initiative, launched in 2013, currently comprises around 100 members, with women constituting 70% of the core team. With plans to expand this initiative to 500 members, JD.com aims to provide more employment opportunities and development avenues for female employees and individuals with disabilities
A Win-Win Pursuit
Han’s story is a testament to JD.com’s commitment to nurturing a supportive workplace culture that facilitates the growth and success of all its employees. With nearly 620,000 employees, JD.com believes that offering tailored support to female employees and their families is mutually beneficial for the company. The company has undertaken substantial, measurable efforts in relevant areas, such as establishing a RMB 10 billion housing fund, providing childcare resources, offering comprehensive maternity benefits, and expanding its employee relief fund. These efforts propelled JD.com to become the first Chinese company in its industry selected for Bloomberg’s 2023 Gender Equality Index, underscoring its dedication to gender equality and sustainable employee development.
Moreover, as a company with both digital and real economy capabilities, JD.com offers diverse career opportunities for female employees, particularly opportunities in STEM fields, spanning digital industry services, research and development, internet healthcare, and more. Last year, the company also appointed a Chief Diversity Officer, further enhancing the environment for employee growth and development.
According to Zhang Pang, Chief Human Resources Officer at JD.com, prioritizing employee development is paramount. By fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment with long-term development opportunities, JD.com aims to generate greater value for both the company and society.
Aligning ESG Strategies with SDGs
JD.com’s ESG Director Li Yi who is also interviewed in the report highlighted the challenges and opportunities in advancing gender equality and underscored JD.com’s participation in the UN Global Compact’s Target Gender Equality Accelerator program in 2022 and the company’s commitment to the “Forward Faster” initiative in 2023, with a special focus on gender equality.
Li Yi shared, “Our involvement with the UN Global Compact has empowered us with a more profound sense of purpose, driving us to encourage business engagement in fostering women’s economic empowerment and contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development within the UN framework.”
JD.com’s Strategic Advancements in International Business: A Focus on Supply Chain and User Experience
During JD.com’s earnings call for Q4 and FY2023 on March 6th, Sandy Xu, CEO of JD.com and JD Retail, provided an update on the company’s strategy for international expansion. Xu emphasized the importance of a robust supply chain as the cornerstone of JD.com’s growth beyond domestic borders.
Xu noted that JD.com is always on the lookout for overseas opportunities and is taking measured steps to advance this process. Given JD’s business model and inherent strengths, the company’s approach to global expansion is uniquely tailored.
“JD’s business model is built on supply chain capabilities and centered around user experience. Based on the development of supply chain infrastructure overseas, JD’s business will continue to expand in areas with our unique competitive strengths in global markets,” Xu said. She also provided an overview of JD.com’s current international businesses:
- JD Worldwide, the export and import facet of JD Retail, incorporates JD Global Sales, an emerging outbound e-commerce platform dedicated to helping Chinese companies and brands expand their overseas market. JD’s cross-border inbound business, JD Global Buy, has established three direct procurement centers worldwide to enhance cross-border supply chain efficiency. This allows consumers in China to access a wider range of imported products at lower costs while ensuring product safety.
- JD Logistics has developed a robust global supply chain, beginning with warehousing and expanding to encompass comprehensive supply chain services. Currently overseeing nearly 90 bonded, overseas, and direct mail warehouses across almost 900,000 square meters, JD Logistics provides extensive support to a broad spectrum of clients, including international enterprises and Chinese brands expanding overseas.
- JD Property is expanding its business in Southeast Asia and Europe, with a focus on markets in Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Its clientele spans international logistics, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) giants, as well as emerging Chinese companies venturing abroad.
- Ochama is an omni-channel retail platform incubated by JD.com in Europe, which utilizes advanced automated logistics technologies and global supply chain capabilities to provide a superior shopping experience for consumers across 24 European countries.
With a focus on supply chain and enhancing the user experience, JD.com will continue to explore opportunities to expand its global footprint. Learn more about JD.com’s businesses with global reach here.