Canali and JD.com Bring Premium Italian Tailoring to Chinese Customers

Posted on by Ling Cao

Celebrated Italian fashion house Canali is opening an official online store on JD.com, bringing the understated sophistication of its custom suits and menswear to China’s most discerning consumers via JD’s white glove delivery service, JD Luxury Express.

Furthering JD’s vision of boundaryless retail, in which consumers can buy whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want it, shoppers will be able to peruse different suit styles and materials from Canali’s new Fall/Winter 2018 collection. They can purchase a voucher for their preferred type of suit, then visit a brick and mortar store to have their measurements taken, enjoying famous Italian-style premium service and receiving their new custom made suit within six to eight weeks.

Celebrated Italian fashion house Canali is opening an official online store on JD.com,

The move represents an expansion of JD and Canali’s partnership, which launched earlier this year when the brand debuted on JD’s dedicated luxury platform, TOPLIFE. All Canali items on both JD’s platform and TOPLIFE are eligible for JD Luxury Express, JD’s specialized delivery service for luxury goods. Customers will receive their items hand delivered by a white-gloved, specially trained courier driving an electric vehicle.

“China is one of the most important markets for Canali and the luxury garment industry as a whole,” said Paolo Canali, Commercial Director of Canali Group.

“We are excited to continue our celebration of the Italian sartorial tradition online by joining forces with JD. Together, we can provide our consumers with more opportunities to enjoy exclusive ‘Made in Italy’ items along with a truly premium customer experience.”

“As Chinese consumers become more reliant on e-commerce in the age of Boundaryless Retail, shoppers are increasingly turning to JD to provide a premium retail experience for luxury purchases,” said Kevin Jiang, Vice President of JD.com, overseeing the company’s luxury department. “Our newest luxury brand partnership with legendary Italian fashion house Canali brings JD customers convenient access to one of the world’s top collections of high-quality bespoke menswear, combined with the benefit of JD’s world-class logistics and service.”

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Ermenegildo Zegna joins forces with JD.com’s TOPLIFE

Posted on by Ling Cao

JD.com has partnered with Ermenegildo Zegna to launch a virtual pop-up store on JD’s dedicated luxury platform TOPLIFE, bringing the Italian menswear brand’s new XXX Collection to China’s growing ranks of luxury consumers.

The collaboration marks a further step for Zegna’s China e-commerce presence. As part of the partnership, the elite fashion house has brought an exclusive product line to TOPLIFE, JD’s platform for the latest collections from the world’s top fashion houses.

“Zegna is a wonderful addition to TOPLIFE. Our customers want the latest and greatest fashion from around the world, and will love the brand’s bold, expressive and individualistic style,” said Xia Ding, President of JD International Fashion. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be connecting Chinese consumers to one of Europe’s most respected luxury brands.”

Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori said, “In essence, the XXX Collection aspires to match the identity of society’s boldest and most visionary members. It is designed for a new tribe of consumers who travel freely across time zones, genres and styles. TOPLIFE has served as a highly effective platform for the world’s top brands to build extraordinary flagship stores online.”

Since its launch just under a year ago, JD’s TOPLIFE has rapidly solidified its position as the leading destination for high-end global brands eager to tap into China’s booming luxury lifestyle market. The platform delivers a state-of-the art shopping experience for luxury consumers through its advanced technologies and unrivaled delivery speeds, as well as JD Luxury Express, the company’s signature white glove delivery service that brings premium and specialty products right to Chinese consumers’ doorsteps via a well-dressed courier in an electric car.

Zegna’s partnership with JD expands the strong roster of leading fashion brands that have worked closely with TOPLIFE, such as Christian Louboutin and Fendi, both of which launched digital pop-ups on the platform this year. Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Oscar de la Renta and Kiton are also among the brands that have joined the platform.

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JD.com Officially Launches its E-commerce Platform in Thailand

Posted on by Yuchuan Wang

Together with Central Group, the leading Thai retail conglomerate, JD.com is furthering its expansion in Southeast Asia with the launch of its “JD CENTRAL” e-commerce platform. When the new online platform officially debuts on September 28, it will further extend JD’s footprint in the region, which already includes an established e-commerce platform in Indonesia as well as a strategic investment in Tiki, Vietnam’s leading B2C e-commerce business.

Previously opened for test operations on June 18, JD’s anniversary, JD CENTRAL offers both direct sales and marketplace models. Sales since then have exceeded expectations. Categories available on the site include everything from electronics to digital products, fashion, home appliances, books and music to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) such as cosmetics, toiletries, beverages, processed foods, and many more. So far, some 80% of shoppers have accessed the platform via cell phones, with FMCG, mobile devices and fashion among the top-selling categories. Products from Chinese companies have proved popular, with leading brands including Xiaomi, Huawei, OnePlus, and Lenovo.

Using its own cutting-edge technology, JD has built the world’s most advanced retail operation and now brings its leading logistics expertise and unrivaled delivery speed to Thai consumers. The company’s Warehouse Management System powers JD CENTRAL’s warehouses and in the Thai capital Bangkok, the new e-commerce business will soon offer same-day delivery. Through its partnership with local delivery service providers, JD CENTRAL will also offer nationwide coverage.

“With the launch of JD CENTRAL, we are delighted to be taking another exciting step forward in JD’s ongoing journey to serve customers throughout Southeast Asia,” said Vincent Yang, JD CENTRAL CEO. “Our partnership with Central Group – a one-of-a-kind union between China’s biggest retailer and Thailand’s strongest retail player – will provide Thai customers with a truly world-class e-commerce experience and guarantee 100% product authenticity. This move will transform the local market and unlock the boundless consumer potential of the nation’s large population, with the ultimate goal of becoming the most trusted brand in Thailand.”

JD CENTRAL is working closely with leading brands to help them reach Thai consumers. For example, leading Chinese apparel online retailer Vipshop has already launched on the new platform.

JD.com Joins Forces with Ruyi to Sponsor BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund

Posted on by Rachel Liu

Chinese E-commerce giant JD.com’s recently announced partnership with textile and fashion conglomerate Ruyi is off to an exciting start, as the two leading Chinese brands have announced a joint sponsorship of the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund.

The Designer Menswear Fund was launched by the British Fashion Council (BFC) and leading men’s magazine British GQ in 2013 to support talented British-based menswear designers with commercial growth in the transition from an emerging creative business to a global fashion brand.

As part of the sponsorship arrangement, representatives from JD and Ruyi will join a panel of industry experts to grant the winning designer financial support of £150,000 and access to £50,000 worth of high-level business mentoring, consultation and professional services. Participating designers will also benefit from the full force of JD.com and Ruyi’s resources in accessing China’s rapidly growing men’s fashion market.

“We are delighted to re-instate the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund thanks to JD.com Inc. and Ruyi who have committed to two years of support for our brilliant emerging menswear designers. It is also fantastic to have the support of such a great ambassador in David Beckham who has already become a huge force within the BFC. The last British designer to win the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund was Craig Green, a talent and business that has gone from strength to strength”, said Dylan Jones, BFC Menswear Chairman and Editor of British GQ.

David Beckham, BFC Ambassadorial President said: “Promoting the British Fashion industry in China is an important part of my new role with The British Fashion Council. It is great to be able to celebrate this new funding for emerging British menswear talent today. The menswear category is so energised at the moment and I can’t wait to see and meet the talent that will be involved – it’s very exciting.”

JD and Ruyi’s sponsorship of the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund follows JD’s partnership with the BFC-Vogue Fashion Fund, which celebrated its second anniversary earlier this year. More and more international fashion brands are looking to expand their presence in the Chinese market as a result of the country’s rapid growth in the sector. Globally, the share of personal luxury goods purchased by Chinese nationals reached 32% in 2017.

Xia Ding, President JD International Fashion commented: “Our joint sponsorship of the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund with Ruyi is a great example of how JD is working with partners both inside and out of China to build new links in the global fashion industry. The UK is now increasingly recognized by Chinese people as a global fashion center and JD is proud to serve as the most convenient channel for British designers to reach China’s many discerning fashion consumers.”

“Ruyi is pleased to see our partnership with JD.com blossom into practical action with this move to help British designers expand into the Chinese market,” said Francis Srun, Executive President of Ruyi International Group. “Aside from a range of joint initiatives in offline retail and e-commerce, Ruyi’s extensive collection of global brands are already working closely with JD and we are confident that this network will give a strong boost to designers supported by the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund.”

JD and Ruyi’s sponsorship of the fund was announced this week at a cocktail event in Shanghai attended by BFC Ambassadorial President David Beckham. Previous winners of the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund include UK-based designers Christopher Shannon, E. Tautz and Craig Green.

Read more: https://jdcorporateblog.com/jd-ramps-up-expansion-of-7fresh-stores-across-china/

JD Ramps Up Expansion of 7FRESH Stores Across China

Posted on by Yuchuan Wang

Consumers in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu will soon be able to experience 7FRESH, JD.com’s premium offline stores focused on fresh food.

JD has signed agreements with 16 real estate companies including China Poly Group, Joy City, Vanke, Yuexiu Property and Greenland Holdings, to expand the premium supermarket chain. Launched earlier this year, the stores have proven a hit with customers, who are drawn by the unique experience of offline shopping complete with the convenience and service-quality that have made JD.com China’s largest and most trusted retailer.

7FRESH is differentiated by its mix of products, with fresh produce making up more than 70% of offerings. Twenty percent of products are directly sourced from overseas suppliers who have been carefully vetted by JD, an important factor for Chinese shoppers, who are increasingly focused on food safety and sourcing. All leafy green produce is restocked within 24 hours, and lots of selected produce can be cooked on site.

“7FRESH redefines the offline retail experience by combining the best parts of fresh grocery markets and top-quality restaurants with cutting edge e-commerce technology,” said Xiaosong Wang, CEO of 7FRESH. “With the expansion of 7FRESH into more cities across China, we are bringing ‘Boundaryless Retail’ to even more shoppers for an incredibly convenient and enjoyable way to buy fresher, safer and more reliable products.”

JD’s own advanced technologies are central to the rollout of the 7FRESH brand. Through the building of customer profiles, JD can determine optimum store locations and layouts. Data analysis also helps improve inventory management by selecting the most appropriate amounts and types of SKUs from JD’s vast selection of goods, according to each store’s unique needs. Meanwhile, ‘Magic Mirrors’ automatically provide product information on a screen when they sense that customers have picked up fresh produce. And JD’s powerful logistics capabilities enable 30-minute delivery from the stores for online shoppers.

JD.com Enters South Korea with Opening of Seoul Office

Posted on by Hui Zhang

JD.com, China’s largest retailer, is expanding its international footprint with a new office in the center of Seoul’s central business district.

The new office will help JD with outreach to South Korean brands that are highly sought-after in China. It will significantly increase the company’s procurement power in the region, reducing the threshold for Korean brands to enter the Chinese market and tap JD’s more than 300 million customers.

South Korea is one of the most popular countries for cross-border shopping among JD shoppers, particularly for categories like skincare and cosmetics, baby and maternity, food and beverage and health supplements. Order volume for brands including Orion, one of the three largest food companies in South Korea, and beauty and health brands Ryo, AHC and Cheong Kwan Jang, doubled in the first half of 2018 from the same period a year earlier, according to JD.com data.

“More and more Chinese consumers are demanding high-quality products from Korea. Establishing an office in South Korea is a strategic step toward meeting the demand,” said Xiaosong Wang, President of JD.com’s fast-moving consumer goods and foods division. “The office will be an easier point of contact for Korean brands and retailers, and will help local companies leverage the trust JD has built in China to tap this massive market.”

“I am very pleased that JD.com, the largest retailer in China, now has a solid presence in Korea,” said Mr. Heo Duck Jin, Executive Managing Director of Korea International Trade Association (KITA). “KITA will continue to promote the business cooperation between Kmall24, our online shopping mall, and JD.com to further assist Korean companies to develop their business in China.”

As the first step of expanding its presence in Korea, JD.com organized the largest ever brand recruitment fair in Korea at COEX this week. Over 500 participants from all parts of the local business community participated, while JD.com signed MoUs with Cheong Kwan Jang, 11 Street and Orion to continue building on the scope of their partnerships.

The opening of the Seoul office is the latest step in JD.com’s international expansion. The company has established a presence in regions including New York, Silicon Valley, Paris, Melbourne, and Tokyo.

Read: https://jdcorporateblog.com/french-skin-care-brand-loccitane-opens-official-flagship-store-on-jd-com/

French Skin Care Brand L’Occitane Opens Official Flagship Store on JD.com

Posted on by Hui Zhang

French beauty care brand L’Occitane de Provence is bringing more of its popular products to China through an official flagship store on JD.com, the country’s largest retailer.

The flagship store will feature a full range of the company’s diverse skincare and beauty products, including organic hand cream, body milk, olive oil soap, shower cream and more. To mark its opening, L’Occitane will offer an exclusive cosmetic gift package on JD.com.

The introduction of L’Occitane’s all-natural products to JD.com’s over 300 million customers coincides with a rapid increase of interest in the category in China, where customers are increasingly meticulous about analyzing product ingredients in the wake of multiple product safety scandals.

According to research from marketing consultancy Clear, growth in sales of natural cosmetics has far outpaced synthetic alternatives, with almost 75% of Chinese consumers citing the ingredients of a product as a main factor when purchasing more natural cosmetics, and 69% of buyers willing to pay more for a completely natural product within the last 12 months.

Founded in 1976, L’Occitane got its start selling rosemary oil products in the open-air markets of Provence, France. Today, the company has amassed a global fanbase who admire the brand for its commitment to using natural essential oils and ingredients while respecting both mankind and the environment. A tube of the brand’s iconic Shea Butter Hand Cream is sold every three seconds.

Read: https://jdcorporateblog.com/jds-jdesigner-boutique-brings-british-fashion-to-china/

JD’s JDesigner Boutique Brings British Fashion to China

Posted on by Ling Cao

JD.com, China’s largest retailer, is bridging the gap between the UK fashion industry and Chinese fashionistas again this year as the company sponsors three Chinese London-based designers, Huishan Zhang, Xuzhi Chen and Xiao Li, allowing them to launch sales of their forward-thinking designs.

Selected designs from their highly anticipated collections, will be available on JD’s JDesigner Boutique platform. Launched in June this year, JDesigner Boutique provides the latest designers’ creations directly to China’s fashion savvy consumers.

JDesigner Boutique provides the latest designers' creations directly to China’s fashion savvy consumers.

“With JDesigner Boutique, JD has once again brought fashion and technology together. It allows our brand a level of direct access to fans in China that would never have been possible in the past,” said designer Xuzhi Chen, who is quickly building a strong international profile through his own brand XU ZHI. Chen combines a thoroughly cosmopolitan aesthetic taking inspiration from his Chinese roots, putting a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and creativity. His show in London this year draws influence from the work of 19th Century U.S. poet Emily Dickinson.

Award-winning designer Huishan Zhang has chosen to partner with JD for the second year running. “JD is a retail partner that understands the fashion industry, caring about the needs of both the designers and customers,” he said. “This a rare thing, which is why my team and I have chosen to partner with JD.com again. It’s great to see more and more Chinese people caring about fashion – and initiatives like JD’s JDesigner Boutique show that fashion has a much broader appeal than just people who attend exclusive events.”

Items from JD-sponsored designer Xiao Li’s collection will also be available to users of the JDesigner Boutique platform for the first time. A rising star on the global fashion stage, Xiao Li is best known for her witty commentary on the fashion scene, using colorful, voluminous shapes, and innovative yarns and textures to push the boundaries of knitwear.

“All of us at JD.com are extremely excited for another year of celebrating the international fashion community in London,”

“All of us at JD.com are extremely excited for another year of celebrating the international fashion community in London,” said Xia Ding, President of JD International Fashion. “As China is increasingly recognized as a new global fashion power player, our unique initiatives, such as the JDesigner Boutique, combined with our unrivaled logistics network in China, continue to make JD.com the top choice for international luxury brands seeking to enter this exciting market.”

This year marks the second year of partnership between JD and the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund

This year marks the second year of partnership between JD and the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. JD will work closely with the BFC to help British designers expand their presence in China and will introduce selected designs through JDesigner Boutique while exploring joint programs including collaborations between shortlisted BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund designers and brands on JD, as well as mentorship programs.

Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive British Fashion Council said: “We are delighted that JD.com are extending their support of the British Fashion Council Vogue Designer Fashion fund into 2019. This collaboration takes us into the second year of our valued partnership with JD.com which allows our British designer businesses to engage with over 300 million Chinese consumers, enabling them the vital opportunity of increasing their global footprint in China.”

Over the course of 2018, JD has added or deepened partnerships with brands including Chopard, Salvatore Ferragamo, Buccellati, Balenciaga, Missoni, Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent and others, as the company’s dedicated TOPLIFE platform continues to gain the attention of the major names in global fashion.

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