JD.com Helps Boost Sales of Rice Named after Agronomist Yuan Longping

by Doris Liu

JD.com recently deepened collaboration with the farm that produces Yuan Longping Rice, which is named after China’s father of hybrid rice, in terms of quality control, digitally intelligent supply chain and branding as the Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival fell on September 23 this year.

In the first eight months of 2022, the sales of Yuan Longping Rice have grown up over threefold compared with the same period last year, according to JD’s data. To stimulate a positive cycle of high-quality agricultural products and rural consumption upgrading, JD.com maintains a strict control process to ensure that all such rice products sold in JD Super, JD’s omni-channel supermarket business, are of first-grade quality.

From the paddy field to household table, rice needs to go through planting, storage, processing, packaging, delivery and other procedures, showing obvious characteristics of the long industrial chain.

“Although vacuum packaging and low-temperature storage can largely reduce the smell and taste differences of rice caused by water evaporation and oil oxidation, there is still a certain impact,” said Jason Cao, director of the rice, noodles and food grains business of JD Super. “Therefore, JD continues to refine each node in the rice industrial chain to ensure perfect-tasting rice for every family.”

Many local agricultural products, despite being of high quality, lack brand awareness and a solid quality control system, and have no opportunity to develop its supply chain infrastructure. To tackle these issues, JD.com is supporting Yuan Longping Rice with resources including its platform channels, marketing advantages, various promotions and live streaming—reaching a win-win in both sales and popularity.

Yuan Longping (1930-2021), a Chinese agronomist renowned for developing the first hybrid-rice strain in the 1970s, devoted his life to the research of high-yielding hybrid rice that is strategically important for China, the most populous country of the world.

JD launched the “March to Rich Plan” (MRP) in 2020 with a goal to drive an output value of RMB 1 trillion yuan in China’s rural areas over the following three years and facilitate rural revitalization. After 22 months, JD had driven the rural output value to exceed RMB 620 billion yuan by the end of this August, helping millions of farmers increase their income.

As of now, JD Logistics has realized same- and next-day delivery in 94 percent of counties and districts across China and 84 percent of villages and towns nationwide, upgrading the logistics system for rural areas to a great extent.

 

(liujun215@jd.com)

JD Launches New Products in National Pavilion of Sri Lanka

by Mengyang He

In concert with the 70th anniversary of the signing of the “Rubber-Rice Pact” between China and Sri Lanka, JD.com has launched an array of new products in the national pavilion of Sri Lanka, including tea, biscuits, coconut oil, etc.

Since opening, the JD National Pavilion of Sri Lanka has offered over 50 products, including popular Ceylon black tea brands, including Lions, Impra, and Sinolan. The snacks from Maliban offer biscuits with ginger and coconut flavors and more, allowing consumers to enjoy a taste of South Asia in China, according to Wei Ye, Vice President of JD.com and President of JD Foods.

In recent years, with the consumption upgrade, Chinese consumers have an increasingly strong demand for international high-quality products. In order to provide Chinese consumers with efficient access and excellent experience in purchasing products from all over the world.

H.E. Dr. Palitha Kohona, ambassador of Sri Lanka to China

Chiranjaya Udumullage, President of China Sri Lanka Association for Trade and Economic Cooperation said, “We are delighted to see Sri Lankan products are well received by Chinese consumers, and partnering with JD.com allows our local specialties to reach nearly 600 million active users.”

“We believe JD.com will be an ideal tool to connect Sri Lankan exporters and industries with its target market in China,” noted Suresh D de Mel, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. “Ceylon tea and Ceylon cinnamon are key national agricultural brands of Sri Lanka in the international market. Black tea is the main export item to China, with a worth of USD 50.6 million exports to China in 2021.”

Ravi Jayawardena, CEO of Maliban Group added, “We recognize the JD National Pavilion of Sri Lanka as a pioneering feat to encourage existing and new businesses to enter the Chinese market.”

For the following year, JD Retail plans to open more than 100 national pavilions, and JD will continue to enrich supply chain, optimize quality control, after-sales service and logistics services, providing consumers with a smooth shopping experience.

 

(hemengyang5@jd.com)

U.S. Snowboard Maker Burton Readies for Consumers on JD.com

by Doris Liu

Vermont-based Burton Snowboards kicked off its official flagship store on JD.com on September 16 with the inclusion of the latest Champion collection, delivering the brand spirit of “We Ride Together” by bringing more diverse individuals shopping on JD.com to join the snowboarding community.

The Champion Collection paid tribute to the resilience and sportsmanship of four of the Burton Team riders, Mark McMorris, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Su Yiming and Liu Jiayu by extending design elements on their own snowboards to other products available in JD’s store such as T-shirts, hoodies, hats and more.

Burton, founded in the United States in 1977 by Jake Burton Carpenter, who dedicated the rest of his life to snowboarding, is now a global snowboard, apparel and accessory company. In the last four decades, snowboarding has been propelled with the help of Burton from hobby to a popular sport, and is now more sought after in China where winter sports are greatly promoted to encourage further development especially after the Beijing Winter Olympics.

The launch of Burton’s store on JD enables the J Shop, JD’s fashion and lifestyle business, to bolster snowboarding and share the fun of winter games among over 580 million active consumers including 30 million premium members. JD.com is making every effort to offer a supreme shopping experience as well as helping brands convey their design ideas integrated with brand-specific stories and creativity to consumers.

 

(liujun215@jd.com)

LA PRAIRIE Unveils Flagship Store on JD.com

by Doris Liu

LA PRAIRIE, Swiss luxury skincare label, amped up its digital presence with a recent launch on JD.com, kicking off its opening ceremony for the Chinese market on September 26 with its singular Swiss Vision of Beauty.

Founded in 1978, LA PRAIRIE by German consumer goods firm Beiersdorf has been engaged in scientific research of anti-aging innovations for decades, creating a premium skincare option for consumers all around the world. With the inspiration of Bauhaus and minimalism, La Prairie shares its values of timelessness and aesthetics in the clean design of its jars, vessels and packaging to present a piece of artwork along with its products.

“We are thrilled to announce this collaboration with JD.com. It creates a unique opportunity for us to expand our reach to our fans and new customers on JD.com, while delivering meaningful luxury and surprising experiences through new product launches and other innovative activities,” said Cheng Shuping, E-Commerce Director of LA PRAIRIE.

With the joining of LA PRAIRIE, the J Shop, JD’s fashion and lifestyle business, not only consolidates its top-tier brand pool, but also provides more luxury and exclusive options for skin care.

“The J Shop will enrich beauty brands and product choices, and upgrade service quality with omni-channel and full-scenario experiences to comprehensively satisfy the new fashion and lifestyle needs of consumers, meanwhile helping skincare brands like LA PRAIRIE grow in a high-quality manner,” said Terry Wang, General Manager of JD Beauty.

More than 60 LA PRAIRIE skincare and makeup products are available in JD’s store, including a gift box of the Skin Caviar Collection especially for JD’s customers. Besides an array of membership benefits, the online store also offers services like JD Luxury Express, JD’s high-end delivery service by couriers wearing suits and white gloves, and more to improve the beauty consumption experience from multiple dimensions.

Luxury brands are rolling out the virtual red carpet while maintaining their brand value to ensure an online experience that is as transparent and trustworthy as in-store shopping, which is in line with JD.com’s strong consumer trust accumulated from its long-term authenticity guarantee and high-standard services.

 

(liujun215@jd.com)

iPhone 14 on Sale through Omni-channel Retail of JD.com

by Doris Liu

Apple’s iPhone 14 is now available through JD.com’s omni-channel platforms, with the on-demand retail platforms of JD Daojia (JDDJ) and Shop Now selling over RMB 200 million yuan in the first six hours starting from 8am (BJT) on September 16.

One customer in Beijing, who placed an order on JDDJ, the only on-demand retail platform for Apple’s pre-sale in China, received iPhone 14 within only 10 minutes after sales officially began. There are now more than 2,600 authorized Apple franchise stores on JDDJ and Shop Now, covering some 1,700 Chinese counties and cities with almost 50 dealers.

Customers of the digital Apple flagship store on JD.com, one of the core retail channels to purchase smart phones in China, have access to many benefits that ensure the online shopping experience and services, including up to RMB 400 yuan subsidies for trade-ins, 90-day replacement without repair, and one-hour delivery.

The online store’s premium membership, A+, doubles the existing trade-in allowance to up to RMB 800 yuan, and upgrades services to 365-day replacement without repair, 50 percent off for the original screen/battery repair and more for purchasing the latest iPhone 14 series.

Physical stores including the recently opened Ehome in Beijing, an Apple Premium Reseller (APR) store operated by JD.com, and the largest JD MALL in Shenyang, Liaoning province, were also in full swing, welcoming consumers to see, touch and try products before making purchases, complementary to the existing online retailing business.

JD.com has been exploring and expanding its omni-channel layout across China to establish around-the-clock shopping experiences with premium services, which not only provide convenience to consumers, but are also conducive to the revival of the real economy.

 

(liujun215@jd.com)

In Addition to 618 And Double 11, JD.com Inaugurates an Agricultural Sibling

by Mengyang He

Ahead of the “Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival” that falls on the autumnal equinox (one of 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar), JD.com inaugurated the Harvest Carnival and Shopping Festival of Agricultural Specialties on September 20 at China’s National Agriculture Exhibition Center in Beijing.

Lijun Xin, CEO of JD Retail noted, “The purpose of our festival is to help drive hundreds of millions of farmers to expand sales and improve their income, while offering high-quality agricultural products to JD’s nearly 600 million active users.”

Lijun Xin, CEO of JD Retail

During the shopping festival, JD has brought 300,000 agricultural products to consumers, among which 120,000 products are designated with the national geographical indications (GIs), covering 2,336 agricultural areas and industrial belts across China.

“JD.com’s Harvest Carnival and Shopping Festival of Agricultural Specialties presented today helps connect the smallholder farmers with the consumers,” noted Carlos Watson, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) Representative to China. “FAO China stands ready to spear-head the collaboration with China. We are now implementing our Country Programming Framework (CPF), with both an inward approach for its national agriculture development needs, and an outward approach in support of global food systems transformation and resilience.”

Carlos Watson, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) Representative to China

Lizhen Liu, Vice President of JD.com and President of JD FMCG Omni-channel said, “JD will facilitate the development of agricultural products, and tackle some real issues for farmers, such as low brand awareness, imperfect quality control systems, and backward supply chain infrastructure. JD will leverage its own retail, logistics, technology, etc. to build the Harvest Carnival and Shopping Festival of Agricultural Specialties into a third nationwide shopping festival, in addition to the 618 and Singles’ Day Grand Promotions.”

In 2020, JD launched the “March to Rich Plan” (MRP) with a goal to drive an output value of RMB 1 trillion yuan in China’s rural areas over the following three years and facilitate rural revitalization.

As of now, JD’s MRP has connected with more than 1,000 agricultural specialties and industrial belts across China, and a number of “MRP Villages” have been built. By the end of this August, JD had driven the rural output value to exceed RMB 620 billion yuan, helping millions of farmers increase their income. Liu added, “The goal for JD’s MRP is likely to be achieved ahead of schedule.”

 

(hemengyang5@jd.com)

JD.com Ranks in BCG’s Most Innovative Companies 2022

by Yuchuan Wang

JD.com has been recognized for the second time as one of the most innovative companies in the world by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in its 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2022 list released on September 15, ranking at 30th place.

The ranking is based in large part on a survey of more than 1,500 global innovation executives, with a combination of the company’s performance on four dimensions including global mindshare, industry peer view, industry disruption and value creation. Six other Chinese companies, namely Huawei (8th), Alibaba (22nd), Lenovo (24th), Xiaomi (31st), Tencent (41st) and ByteDance (45th) are also on the list this year.

BCG’s ranking this year specifically recognizes companies’ efforts in climate and sustainability (C&S). According to BCG, two-thirds of the companies in the 2022 survey ranked C&S as a top corporate priority and many of them were among the earliest to embrace environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and to establish decarbonization commitments.

JD.com has always attached great importance to C&S. The company’s “Green Stream Initiative” has addressed key environmental issues in the retail and logistics industry in terms of green warehousing, transportation, packaging and more.

In 2019, JD set a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent by the year 2030, and its logistics arm, JD Logistics, became the first company of China’s logistics sector to join the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This year, JD.com also incorporated the TCFD framework in its annual ESG report for the first time.

To view BCG’s Most Innovative Companies of 2022 overview, visit: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2022/innovation-in-climate-and-sustainability-will-lead-to-green-growth

 

(yuchuan.wang@jd.com)

Posted in ESG

JD Super Announces Its New Strategy

by Mengyang He

JD.com’s omni-channel supermarket, JD Super, announced its business strategy titled “BOOST” during a press conference on September 6. The plan is intended to help JD Super navigate its business development.

Lizhen Liu, Vice President of JD.com, President of JD FMCG Omni-channel announces the “BOOST” strategy
Lizhen Liu, Vice President of JD.com, President of JD FMCG Omni-channel announces the “BOOST” strategy

“BOOST” is an acronym. “B” as in “broaden” reflects JD Super’s commitment to broadening its user growth. “O” for “omni” is about developing its intra-city retail business with the omni-channel approach. The second “O” stands for “Opening,” suggesting JD Super is set to provide an open ecosystem for its partners and consumers. “S” for “supply chain” as JD Super is mapping out a supply chain-based system. “T” for “tier 3-6” indicates that JD Super will expand its business in rural areas.

“The ‘BOOST’ strategy focuses on five areas, and it will allow us to lead the rapid growth of the industry together with our partners,” noted Lizhen Liu, Vice President of JD.com, President of JD FMCG Omni-channel.

The press conference venue in Beijing

As China’s leading omni-channel supermarket, JD Super registered a transaction volume of RMB 100 billion yuan as early as in 2017, and helped more than 50 brands top a sales record of RMB 1 billion yuan and facilitated 500 brands reaching RMB 100 million yuan in 2019.

During the press conference, the global information services provider NielsenIQ also released the “2022 H1 China’s FMCG Market Trends Report,” providing insights into the FMCG market and JD Super’s recent development.

According to the report, the online sales channel in China’s FMCG market continues to expand, in which the market share of JD Super’s omni-channel mounted from 9.0 percent in 2020 to 11.9 percent in 2022.

 

(hemengyang5@jd.com)