by Hui Zhang

Zenith SA, a Swiss luxury watchmaker, launched an official third-party store on JD.com on May 17. The store is an addition to its previous first-party store on JD.com opened in 2017.

To mark the store’s opening, Zenith will bring more than 20 new and classic watch series to the platform, including Chronomaster Sport, DEFY 21 Ultrablue, Pilot Type 20, and others.

 

“JD.com is not only a reliable choice for consumers, but also an important channel for international brands to expand their Chinese market,” said Kevin Jiang, president of international fashion and lifestyle of JD. “Zenith’s in-depth partnership with JD reflects its trust to our platform.”

Zenith and JD.com have witnessed a good partnership since 2017, with Zenith bringing in a few exclusive services to JD’s consumers, such as signature customization on watches. Zenith has also become one of the international brands welcomed by consumers in terms of sales.

Established in 1865, Zenith was the first watch manufacturer in the modern sense of the term. It was acquired by LVMH in November 1999, becoming one of several brands in its watch and jewelry division, which also includes TAG Heuer and Hublot.

 

(zhanghui36@jd.com)

by Ling Cao

JD’s private label brands including J.Zao, Hommy, LATIT, Huixun and others kicked off this year’s 618 Grand Promotion with a big promotion day on May 24, providing cost-effective and new products to customers, as well as discounts, flash sales, livestream and more entertainment solutions.

Products offered by JD’s private label brands during the promotion day covered a wide range of categories and price points, from a tissue roll costing only RMB 0.5 yuan to a smart appliance worth RMB 1,000 yuan, from pet food, computer and digital products to cosmetics and home décor.

During 618, JD released a new private label brand Jing Meng, which focuses on pet products. For example, it designed a mobile carrying case for pets featuring a fresh air circulation system, providing pets with a more comfortable environment while traveling. Jing Meng also designed different flavors of nutritious cats’ snacks, making the food more delicious and healthy for cats.

A representative from Jing Meng said, “We focus on pets’ experience first in designing these products. We think this innovation and method is a key factor to expand the market penetration.”

JD’s private label brands also worked with home appliance departments on Consumer-to-Manufacturer (C2M) products, such as electric kettles and hair dryers. Customers can access these products from JD’s online stores, SEVEN FRESH and home appliance experience stores. These products have been popular among customers since their release.

 

(ling.cao@jd.com)

by Rachel Liu

Nestlé, Danone and Lego won Top International Brand Awards at JD’s 618 kick-off conference held in Beijing on May 20 for their sales, product development and customer service on JD.

Nestlé began to work with JD in 2011. As the largest food manufacturer in China and a Fortune 500 company, Nestlé has worked deeply with JD on customer operations, Consumer-to-Manufacturer (C2M), marketing and supply chain to provide high-quality products and services for customers. In April 2019, Nestlé launched an 800g package of crispy wafer bars developed with C2M, suitable for customers to take on family outings. It launched 10 times quicker than usual products of Nestlé. The brand also worked with JD on sustainable development projects, such as implementing new energy vehicle transportation and recyclable packages.

Many of Danone brands, such as Aptamil, Nutilon, Cow&Gate, are popular among consumers in China. In 2020, Danone and JD analyzed customers’ demands and successfully launched a new product Nutilon PRO on JD in just six months. On June 18, 2020, the peak day of JD’s 618 Grand Promotion (Jun. 1-18), Danone ranked No. 2 among milk powder brands. During the past Singles Day Grand Promotion (Nov. 1-11), Danone products also performed well.

Lego is a now the most popular toy brand in China, and since joining JD in 2015, its sales have been increasing quickly. JD provided support on products, marketing, customer experience and other resources. The two sides are working together to develop themed products of Lego to discover new growing opportunities.

“During the upcoming 618 Shopping Festival, we would like to bring the best experience to customers, help brands develop faster and create more social value,” said Chenkai Ling, vice president of JD.com. “JD is working with more international brands to bring high quality products to China and improve customers’ satisfaction.

 

(liuchang61@jd.com)

by Hui Zhang

at the Er PrimaryJD.com and Kweichow Moutai Group, China’s liquor giant, unveiled the opening of a library School of Daozhen Gelao and Miao Autonomous County in northernmost Guizhou province on May 18, with a donation of about 15,000 books on the theme of Chinese traditional culture for students of both primary and secondary schools.

All the books were donated by employees from the two companies as part of their ongoing social welfare program in partnership with China Social Assistance Foundation, aiming to set up 5 public libraries within schools in the county to improve rural education quality.

“JD.com has always adhered to its social responsibility, and has made active and continuous efforts in improving the quality of consumption, safeguarding employment and promoting the development of the real economy, while also contributing to the high-quality development of the social economy,” said Carol Fung, president of JD FMCG Omni-channel.

Carol Fung, president of JD FMCG Omni-channel

“JD.com and Moutai share the same philosophy in practicing corporate social responsibility, and we have jointly carried out a number of cooperation efforts in the area so far. We hope to enhance cooperation with Moutai in the future to jointly promote rural revitalization and traditional culture.”

During the event celebrating the library opening and books donation, children’s literature author Zhou Rui hosted a much welcomed class for local students on Peking Opera, the most dominant form of Chinese opera combining music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics.

“Moutai believes that proper education can help relieve people from poverty, and we have done a solid job to help the poor through participating in education,” said Jingren Li, vice chairman and president of Moutai Group.

Jingren Li, vice chairman and president of Moutai Group

“Our cooperation with JD.com to set up this library is one of our new efforts to facilitate local education development in the county,” he added. “We’re looking forward to working with more companies like JD.com to help relieve poverty through education and to promote rural revitalization.”

 

(Banner photo: Lu Bin, Party Secretary of Daochen County; Jingren Li, vice chairman and president of Moutai Group; Carol Fung, president of JD FMCG Omni-channel; Xueqing Fei, Deputy Governor of Daozhen County) 

 

(zhanghui36@jd.com)

by Ling Cao

Ten Jingxi partners won awards at the JD 618 kickoff conference held on May 20 in Beijing. The partners, which include P&G, Unilever, Mondelēz International, Midea (its official Jingxi store) and more, have all cooperated with Jingxi to expand in lower-tier markets, providing customers with cost-effective products and services.

The awards cover different sectors, such as Top 10 omni-channel partners, new lower-tier market brands, industrial brands, fresh produce brands and supply chain partners.

Unilever has worked with Jingxi New Markets since 2017, with both parties expanding lower-tier penetration by opening new stores, pushing forward marketing innovation, product customization and more. By sharing these capabilities with small and medium sized local stores, they have enabled customers to purchase high-quality products from brands more conveniently. In 2020, Unilever has gained 60% sales growth YOY for the sales contributed from the partnership with Jingxi New Markets.

A domestic cotton wipes brand Chunzhisu has been named among the Top 10 industrial brands. When COVID-19 impacted the industry supply chain in 2020, causing the row materials price to increase by 50%-70%, Chunzhisu still kept its product quality by working with Jingxi to customize products during the hard time. During peak time such as 618 or Singles Day (Nov 11) Grand Promotion in 2020, Chunzhisu orders increased from 10,000 to 50,000 on a daily basis.

Another domestic fresh produce brand Huadefeng also won an award. The brand worked with Jingxi to build a direct-sales model from place of origin to customers, with daily sales volume reaching as high as 20,000.

A representative from Huadefeng said, “We will deepen our partnership with Jingxi, providing customers with delicious fresh fruits using fresh food supply chain capability.”

A representative from Jingxi said, “From the kickoff conference until June 20, Jingxi will provide customers with new entertainment channels, more worry-free services and higher-quality products with affordable prices, helping partners lower costs and improve efficiency, promoting healthy industry development.”

 

(ling.cao@jd.com)

by Ella Kidron

American multinational personal care brand Kimberly Clark was awarded as one of JD’s Top 10 sustainability partners at a 618 Grand Promotion (Jun. 1-18) kickoff conference held on May 20. In recent years, JD and Kimberly Clark have collaborated in products, supply chain and omnichannel, among other areas, promoting many productions which have been well-received by consumers in China.

Customer-to-Manufacturer (C2M) has been an important area of focus for both companies. Last year during 618, Kimberly Clark released its “Love the Planet” (爱地球) product series, which has a photo of an endangered animal on the packaging. Three disinfectant and personal hygiene products developed based on insights from JD and R&D tech from Kimberly Clark became blockbusters once being put on sale. JD Super has also adopted an omni-channel model with Kimberly Clark, connecting JD’s app with the brand’s offline stores, as well as baby and maternal stores, convenience stores, and other brick-and-mortar shops, realizing more speed and precision in the shopping and logistics processes.

Huggies, the maternal and baby products brand under Kimberly Clark is also an important partner of JD. A signature cooperation with the Huggies involved working with the brand to develop a paper diaper (disposable diaper typically made of paper and plastic) with enhanced aeration and softness that hug to the waist, making it more comfortable and convenient for babies to move about. Sales of the new product accounted for more than 70% of the brands sales on JD the day it went on sale. Huggies has already become a top diaper brand on JD.

JD and Kimberly Clark have jointly called on the public to care for the planet and wildlife and to embrace sustainable development. Ms. Bei Wu, general manager of Kimberly Clark’s business division in China, said: “Every species has their reason for existence and is an indispensable part of the ecological chain.”

During this year’s 618 Grand Promotion, JD and Kimberly Clark will take advantage of accumulated gains from the two parties’ long term partnership, and continue to focus on product, supply chain, marketing and omni-channel.

Meina Chen, sales manager of diapers and wet wipes in JD FMCG’s maternal and baby products department said: “Kimberly Clark is an invaluable part of the JD Family. Working with the brand, we have been able to provide consumers with new products and services, making their lives more sustainable and convenient.”

 

(ella@jd.com)