‘JD Plus’ Premium Program Now Includes Zhihu Membership

Posted on by Yuchuan Wang

JD.com’s pioneering premium membership program, JD Plus, which already includes a rich range of exclusive promotions and benefits that go beyond shopping, now includes more reasons to join. Starting March 8, JD Plus members will also receive premium subscriptions to Zhihu, China’s leading Q+A platform, as well as free access to thousands of online books via Zhihu membership.

Often cited as China’s equivalent to Quora, Zhihu ( “do you know?” in Chinese) has more than 220 million mostly young and well-educated users. Chinese internet users increasingly turn to Zhihu for insight and expert knowledge on various topics.

As part of this new tie-in, Zhihu members will also gain access to the full range of JD Plus benefits, joining more than 10 million JD Plus members who get premium services such as faster accumulation of “JingDou” loyalty points for product purchases on JD, exclusive discounts on purchases and shipping, 24-hour premium customer service, and other premium features they can use both online and offline.

Chinese consumers increasingly value the advantages of premium paid membership programs. JD.com was the first Chinese e-commerce company to introduce an exclusive paid membership service three years ago. Since then, the company has continued adding new features for its JD Plus members, including benefits beyond its own platform.

The partnership with Zhihu gives new JD Plus members free access to over 10,000 e-books, 600 audiobooks and Zhihu “Live” – real-time interactive Q+A sessions. Existing JD Plus members also have the opportunity to receive Zhihu benefits immediately via an in-app game. Others will begin receiving the new benefits without extra charge once their memberships renew.

“Over the past three years, millions of Chinese consumers have joined JD Plus to enjoy special discounts, exclusive members-only prices and coupons, among many other benefits,” said Chunhui Meng, head of JD Plus at JD.com. “By teaming up with industry leaders such as Zhihu, JD Plus is making strong progress in building the best cross-industry premium benefits program available to Chinese users. JD Plus’ emphasis on high quality benefits and services makes it a natural fit for Zhihu Reading Club’s members.”

“Since Zhihu launched its membership program last year, we have continued enhancing our premium offering through innovative partnerships,” said Rongle Zhang, Vice President of Zhihu. “As China’s largest retailer, renowned for its commitment to premium goods and quality customer service, JD is an ideal partner for Zhihu. The exclusive member privileges provided by JD Plus will be much appreciated by our insightful Zhihu members.”

The Zhihu partnership is the latest example of how JD partners with others to enhance the JD Plus program. JD Plus members already get benefits including complimentary VIP membership on China’s leading online streaming video platform iQIYI, bundled memberships with Walmart’s Sam’s Club, complimentary use of airport VIP lounges, as well as restaurant and food coupons, entertainment services, travel booking, wealth management products and more.

JD.com Harnesses AR Technology to Improve Childhood “Stranger-danger” Education

Posted on by Yuchuan Wang

JD.com, China’s largest retailer, is using its advanced technology to bring augmented reality (AR) features to a picture book that teaches children how to interact safely with strangers. The new AR book is based on the popular German children’s book “Ich geh doch nicht mit Jedem mit!” (“I’m not going with everyone!”) by Dagmar Geisler, a well-known volume among Chinese parents for the simple and engaging way it educates children about “stranger-danger.”

The AR storybook is available to anyone who purchases the hard-copy edition and contains four new scenarios that teach children about the potential dangers and safest ways to interact with strangers. Parents and children can use the JD app on their smart devices to quickly scan the book and get easy access to practical, real-life scenarios that fully engage and immerse young readers.

 

 

As technology continues to evolve rapidly, so too has the reading experience, which has seen traditional paper books supplemented by e-books and, more recently, AR versions. For children, learning has the potential to be enhanced and transformed by cutting-edge AR technologies that make books more interactive and enjoyable.

The issue of missing children remains a serious problem worldwide. Despite investments in education and awareness, much needs to be done both globally and in China, home to an estimated 220 million children under the age of 14. By applying its innovative technologies to create more effective learning resources, JD can make a significant contribution to efforts addressing this issue.

“We are proud to use our technology to tackle this important issue,” said Tony Tan, head of AR/VR at JD.

“JD.com has already transformed the way consumers shop in China through our state-of-the-art technologies. We’re now helping to transform the way children learn by developing AR-powered educational tools. JD looks forward to continuing to work alongside authors and publishers to ensure the brightest and safest tomorrow for our kids and to shape the future of learning. We will also continue to find innovative ways to bring the AR technologies we develop in our labs to market in the service of our customers and partners.”

JD was an early mover in using AR to enhance the retail experience, online and offline. Innovative tools such as its AR Fitting Room and AR Styling Station offer JD’s more than 300 million customers highly immersive and personalized shopping experiences. For instance, the AR Styling Station enables shoppers to virtually try on make-up and other beauty-related products and has proven enormously popular. During the company’s annual 6.18 anniversary sales last year, 70% of those who purchased color lenses first used the AR Styling Station to test out how they looked.

Farfetch and JD.com Expand Strategic Partnership

Posted on by Ella Kidron
  • JD.com’s Toplife to merge into Farfetch’s existing China business
  • Farfetch to gain ‘Level 1’ access on the JD app
  • JD.com’s 300 million customers to have access to more than 3,000 luxury brands through Farfetch’s network
  • Win-win collaboration to provide ‘Premier Luxury Gateway to China’ for luxury fashion brands

LONDON & BEIJING–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH), the leading global technology platform for the luxury fashion industry and JD.com (NASDAQ: JD), China’s largest retailer, today announced the expansion of their strategic partnership in order to provide the ‘Premier Luxury Gateway to China’ for luxury brands.

Under the agreement, Toplife will merge into Farfetch China. In addition, Farfetch will gain a ‘Level 1’ entry point on the JD.com app, providing JD.com’s 300 million customers with instant access to more than 3,000 brands via Farfetch’s network of more than 1,000 luxury brand and boutique partners.

The partnership builds on the existing successful relationship between Farfetch and JD.com, started in July 2017. Since then, Farfetch has leveraged JD.com’s logistics capabilities in China, as well as JD.com’s insights into the behaviors of China’s luxury consumers. JD is one of Farfetch’s largest shareholders.

Farfetch has strengthened its China business through its agreement to acquire CuriosityChina, a leading integrated marketing and social commerce company. Through this expanded agreement with JD.com, Farfetch will offer the full suite of Farfetch’s technology and logistics platform to brands wanting to reach luxury consumers in China, which accounts for significant growth in the luxury industry1.

Luxury is an integral component of JD Fashion. As a key player in China’s luxury market, JD has been working directly with luxury brands to offer an end-to-end luxury shopping experience, from customer service to logistics, with luxury warehousing and ‘white glove’ delivery via JD Luxury Express. It has also pioneered omnichannel luxury partnerships. Several top brands have made their official e-commerce luxury debut with JD. Going forward, JD will continue to expand its direct partnerships with luxury brands.

José Neves, Founder, CEO and Co-Chairman, Farfetch said: “We are delighted to build on our relationship with JD.com, and bring to market an unrivalled solution for luxury brands to succeed in the Chinese market. We believe our Level 1 access with JD.com “closes the circle” and will be transformational for the luxury industry’s digital landscape in China. With this agreement, and our previous strategic investments in China including our acquisition of CuriosityChina, we now offer luxury brands a one-stop solution to develop their digital strategies in accessing the engaged and sophisticated audience in this important market. Today we mark the launch of what I believe is the Premier Luxury Gateway to China.”

Jon Liao, Chief Strategy Officer of JD.com, said “This win-win collaboration is a key development in our ongoing relationship with Farfetch. We are combining the best of global and local market expertise in the luxury segment. This is an important step for JD.com in developing its global fashion and luxury ecosystem. In just over a year of operation, Toplife has worked with many of the world’s top brands, and has grown to become the platform of choice among China’s discerning luxury consumers and brands. Luxury is an integral part of our fashion offering, and we are excited to work together with Farfetch to create the ultimate destination for luxury shopping in China.”

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1 Bain “Altagamma 2018 Worldwide Luxury Market Monitor – The Future of Luxury: A Look into Tomorrow to Understand Today (November 2018)”

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190228005311/en/

JD.com and Rakuten to collaborate on unmanned delivery solutions in Japan

Posted on by Yuchuan Wang

JD.com, China’s largest retailer, and Rakuten, Inc., a leading global innovation company in e-commerce, have signed an agreement that will see JD.com’s drones and autonomous delivery robots utilized in Rakuten’s unmanned delivery solutions in Japan.

Under the agreement, JD.com will combine its expertise in developing drones and autonomous delivery robots with Rakuten’s expertise in drone delivery service operations in Japan, such as its dedicated shopping apps. The two companies will collaborate on Rakuten’s lineup of unmanned delivery services to suit a wide range of applications and situations.

Rakuten launched its Rakuten Drone delivery service in 2016, and has gained experience through providing delivery services and trials in collaboration with corporate partners and local governments. In 2018, its first delivery trial was conducted using a combination of drones and autonomous delivery robots, a step toward solving the last mile challenge for the logistics sector in Japan.

“We are delighted to begin this collaboration with JD.com, which boasts the most cutting-edge proprietary delivery network in China as well as a track record and know-how in delivery with drones and UGVs,” said Koji Ando, Group Managing Executive Officer of Rakuten, Inc. “By utilizing JD.com’s drones and UGVs with the unmanned delivery solutions created by Rakuten, we hope to accelerate innovation in the Japanese logistics sector and contribute to building a society that can offer greater convenience to all citizens.”

JD.com began developing its drone program in 2015, and launched the world’s first commercial drone deliveries in 2016 in rural China. It currently operates drones in Jiangsu, Shaanxi and other provinces. Since then, JD’s drones have logged more than 400,000 minutes of flight time. In January 2019, the company announced the success of Indonesia’s first government-approved drone test flight, opening the door for future commercial drone use in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. On the ground in China, its autonomous delivery robots are being used in urban areas in several cities and are becoming frequent sights on a number of university campuses and in office parks. JD.com has also launched two smart delivery stations in the cities of Changsha and Hohhot, transforming last-mile logistics and further increasing delivery speed for customers.

“We have been using drones and autonomous delivery robots for real deliveries in China for over two years,” said Jun Xiao, president of JD-X, JD’s logistics innovation lab. “This is one way we are innovating to make logistics more accessible, reliable and cost-effective. In Japan there are many opportunities for drones to make deliveries in mountainous areas, remote islands and in emergency situations. As we push the bounds of what our autonomous delivery technology can do, and explore its use in a wide range of applications from e-commerce to humanitarian support, we believe it will continue to bring significant benefit to people around the world.”

JD.com and Rakuten aim to accelerate the development and commercialization of Rakuten’s unmanned delivery solutions in Japan and will cooperate to promote convenience and innovation in society.

JD.com and British Fashion Council Join Forces with New Partnership

Posted on by Vic Gu

JD.com, China’s largest retailer, and the British Fashion Council (BFC) have signed a three-year strategic partnership that includes support of on-schedule designers and events at London Fashion Week (LFW) and London Fashion Week Men’s (LFWM). Additionally, JD.com has been named the exclusive Chinese retailer partner of London Fashion Week.

Building on JD’s existing partnership with the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and BFC/GQ Menswear Designer Fund, a key feature of the agreement is helping create a mutually beneficial global platform for designers, global brands and key figures from across the international fashion industry. The partnership will also aim to introduce British and international brands to the increasingly sophisticated Chinese consumer market as well as to increase the visibility of Chinese brands within the global fashion landscape, through collaboration with internationally renowned designers.

“JD.com is a trusted partner of BFC,” said Caroline Rush, British Fashion Council CEO. “Our new partnership aims to empower emerging designers and make it easier for them to collaborate with more fashion brands in both countries. We hope that this platform will further strengthen cultural exchange, talent integration and intellectual property protection, all of which are crucial aspects of the fashion industry.”

In March 2018, JD Fashion hosted a show in Shanghai to showcase three of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund shortlisted designers and to introduce them to a local audience of retailers, media and industry influencers. The designers were Huishan Zhang, Le Kilt and Rejina Pyo. In September 2018, JD Fashion teamed up with Huishan Zhang as well as Xiao Li and Xuzhi Chen to support their catwalk shows at London Fashion Week.

“We strongly believe that fashion is boundaryless,” said Victor Hu, president of JD Fashion and Lifestyle. “Through this partnership with the BFC, we aim to build new bridges for the exchange of Chinese and international fashion culture, reducing the gap between the fashion industry in China and the rest of the world. Over the next three years, through the BFC partnership, we will continue to make fashion a truly universal language. Not only do JD’s more than 300 million customers in China stand to benefit from these efforts, but so will designers, brands, and clients around the world.”

JD.com Launches First Government Approved Drone Flight in Indonesia

Posted on by Yuchuan Wang

JD.com, China’s largest retailer, today announced the completion of Indonesia’s first government approved drone flight – a breakthrough for drone delivery in Southeast Asia. The successful pilot opens the door for future commercial drone use in Indonesia and the Southeast Asia region, subject to further regulatory approvals. Representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation, Civil Aviation and Air Navigation were present for the flight. The news was announced during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

The test flight took place on January 8, 2019, in West Java, Indonesia, where the drone flew from Jagabita Village, Parung Panjang to MIS Nurul Falah Leles Elementary School to deliver backpacks and books to students. The items delivered by drone were part of a larger donation of supplies from JD.com to the school. JD has a long history of offering philanthropic support to those in the communities where it operates. The company often taps its technology and nationwide logistics network to provide immediate support for natural disasters such as earthquakes in China.

JD.com and its JV partner, e-commerce company JD.ID, were early movers in bringing high quality e-commerce to Indonesia. JD.ID, which launched e-commerce operations in 2016, sells 1 million SKUs and serves more than 20 million consumers across the country. Its operations leverage a logistics network consisting of ten warehouses across seven islands, covering 483 cities and 6,500 counties. Given the fact that the country is spread out across many islands, the implementation of drones for regular use in e-commerce deliveries, as well as other logistics-related services, will enable citizens in Indonesia to enjoy more efficient and reliable services, and help JD.ID realize its goal of being able to deliver 85% of orders same- or next-day. JD.ID is also committed leveraging its logistics and other resources to support humanitarian efforts like earthquake disaster relief.

“It is a privilege to have contributed to this important moment in Indonesia’s history,” said Jon Liao, Chief Strategy Officer at JD.com. “We have been using drones for real deliveries in China for over two years now, and have seen the profound impact that the technology can have on people’s lives around the country. We look forward to working closely with WEF and the Indonesian government to realize the full potential of this technology, and provide more convenience to Indonesian citizens.”

JD.com is a strategic partner of WEF and a partner of WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The C4IR is a global hub for multi-stakeholder cooperation to develop policy frameworks and advance collaborations that accelerate the benefits of science and technology. Leveraging drone technology to deliver supplies to areas in need is a high priority on the C4IR’s agenda. WEF and JD have been working closely together to ensure the success of the pilot in Indonesia.

“This trial represents the first government approved drone delivery operation in Indonesian history,” said Timothy Reuter, Head of Drones and Tomorrow’s Airspace at the World Economic Forum. “These tests are an opportunity for Indonesia to become a leader in the Southeast Asia region by leveraging drone delivery to improve access to vital medical, humanitarian, and commercial goods in remote areas.”

A Guide to Sustainability for Online Retailers – by China’s Biggest Retailer

Posted on by Hui Zhang

By Rain Yu Long
Chief Human Resources Officer, General Counsel, JD.com
Chairwoman, JD Foundation

E-commerce has revolutionized the way the world does business. It has created greater convenience for consumers, enabling them to purchase what they want, whenever and wherever they want. It has also generated vast new opportunities for retailers as well as new challenges, particularly in the area of sustainability.

Chief Human Resources Officer, General Counsel, JD.com Chairwoman, JD Foundation

Packaging waste and emissions have gained greater attention in recent years. Twenty-five years ago in China, it was unthinkable to throw anything away that could be re-used; but as consumption has increased, our habits have evolved: with more purchases comes more waste.

JD.com believes that, as retailers, we must actively take steps to make global consumption more sustainable – especially those of us that are building the future of retail through e-commerce. In 2017, China’s e-commerce market grew by 19.8% to US$3.82 trillion, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce, so these challenges are increasing significantly every year.

The JD Foundation is an affiliate of our company with a focus on sustainability. Working together, we are coordinating an innovative plan across all departments of our company to re-think the way retailers do business.

Key components of the JD Foundation’s sustainable strategy can offer a guide to how e-commerce companies can make a difference.

Reducing waste

Tackling and removing excess waste from the delivery process is a key issue which should form a major part of companies’ sustainable consumption goals. For example, JD gives customers the option of returning boxes for re-use and recycling, and promotes this through our partner retailers and delivery companies.

Introducing reusable boxes made from biodegradable materials can also play an important role in cutting waste and making consumption more sustainable. Many companies, including JD, are implementing plans like this already.

Even reducing the thickness of the tape used to seal boxes plays its part in sustainable consumption, demonstrating that every little step makes a difference. By doing this, we’ve saved more than 100 million meters of tape in the past two years – that’s enough to stretch around the globe twice.

In addition, going paperless by making all invoices, receipts and order sheets digital can help companies cut down on waste, and again many companies including JD are already doing this.

Promoting sustainability

Updating methods of delivery and converting from conventional fuel vehicles to new energy vehicles will greatly reduce emissions. JD has more than 80,000 delivery employees across China, and to-date we have converted over 5,000 of our delivery vehicles to new energy, and plan to work with our partners in the coming years to convert hundreds of thousands more. By the time the entire fleet is green, we expect to reduce our yearly CO2 emissions by several million tons.

Making better use of existing logistics networks will also have an impact. Couriers deliver goods to your door, so why don’t they pick up your used items too? This approach can use established assets in e-commerce and delivery companies’ business models, and can be used as a driver for future growth.

Another key element is working with retailers and manufacturers to ensure that the products they produce are more sustainable – specifically, encouraging manufacturers to use more sustainable processes that reduce any negative environmental impact. This is especially important in terms of natural resources. We are currently working with our partners to ensure products such as Alaskan cod, Chilean salmon and black tiger shrimp from Vietnam are from sustainable sources.

Getting our customers involved

Partnering with green advocacy groups to launch sustainable consumption campaigns aimed at the public can get the sustainable consumption message out there. For example, JD is working with groups, including the United Nations Development Programme, to address waste and pollution throughout the consumption process.

Implementing campaigns and donation drives for used items such as clothing, toys and books can allow these items to be repurposed and given to charities and non-profit organizations. This extends the life cycle of products and reduces waste, and contributes to other social needs such as alleviating poverty.

We think that spearheading public awareness campaigns can contribute greatly to changing how people approach consumption. As a leader among e-commerce companies, JD has taken on this responsibility. If we can change current attitudes of public consumption culture, then that is half the battle won. To truly change the current shopping culture, consumers need to get involved too.

JD and the global e-commerce community more broadly are just beginning this journey towards sustainable consumption, but it’s important for all of us to start now while the industry is still rapidly evolving. Consumption should be sustainable both in terms of reducing the impact we have on the environment, and in terms of the viability and longevity of the programs we create.

If we can build the foundations for sustainable consumption in a way that makes better use of the assets in our business models, we can build a better future.

JD.com Releases Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Posted on by Hui Zhang

JD.com, China’s largest retailer, online or offline, has issued a new corporate social responsibility report, highlighting its commitment to global sustainability and dedication to giving back to the community.

The CSR report outlines JD’s accomplishments since 2013, underscoring the importance of sustainability, innovation and empowerment to company operations. The report also demonstrates how every part of the company’s footprint — from the creation of a product, to its packaging, sale, and delivery – is engineered to have a positive, sustainable and far-reaching impact on the global community and environment.

Projects such as the Green Stream Initiative and Recycling Program have reduced waste and emissions, as well as promoted sustainable consumption concepts to consumers to adopt in their daily lives.  Additionally, JD’s unique “giving platform” leverages the company’s advanced technology and self-built inventory and logistics networks to provide a secure way to link consumers with organizations in need of supplies, speeding delivery of donated goods to their intended recipients and making them trackable at every point. Projects such as these enable JD to engage its stakeholders, including suppliers and customers, to increase transparency and efficiency in philanthropy in China and beyond.

“As China’s largest retailer, we recognize that our influence extends far beyond our network of more than 300 million active customers,” said Richard Liu, JD.com founder and CEO.

“As China’s largest retailer, we recognize that our influence extends far beyond our network of more than 300 million active customers,” said Richard Liu, JD.com founder and CEO.

“We have a responsibility to conduct our business in a manner that will have a positive influence. That is why we will continue to share our know-how and resources, continuously seeking innovative ways to improve society where our employees, customers, and partners live and work.”

Highlights from JD.com’s CSR report:

  • 4 million donations collected for 600+ charity programs via the JD Giving Platform.
  • 5,000+ new energy vehicles replaced conventional fuel fleet vehicles.
  • 1+ million items of clothing and 400,000+ toys collected and reused or donated to people in need by recycling program.
  • 250 million meters of packaging tape saved via innovative initiative.
  • 3+ million products sourced from rural areas on JD.com benefiting 90% of China’s poorest counties.

Additionally, the CSR report demonstrates how JD.com has taken cues from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),

Additionally, the CSR report demonstrates how JD.com has taken cues from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focuses on 17 areas including poverty alleviation, clean energy and responsible consumption.

“Conducting this CSR report under the framework of SDGs for the first time, JD is showing how this framework provides an excellent way for organizations to measure their impacts on sustainable development for all,” said Agi Veres, Country Director, UNDP China.

Aided by its innovative technology and unparalleled infrastructure, JD has actively launched and supported many charity programs for social innovation, environmental protection, disaster relief, poverty alleviation, education, aiding the disadvantaged and poverty alleviation – detailed in the report.

JD is striving to create sustainable platforms using technological advances and supply chain improvements that impact hundreds of millions of people in China and throughout the world, with hopes that its sustainable and social responsibility actions can serve as blueprints for other e-commerce enterprises and retailers to follow.

Read the full CSR report here

Find out more about CSR at JD here