Oct 29, 2020| ESG

Richard Liu on Poverty Alleviation: Better to Teach People Fishing than to Give them Fish

Ling Cao

by Ling Cao

JD has cared about social responsibility since day one. When JD’s online business launched in early 2004, Richard Liu, Chairman and CEO of JD.com, implemented a program in which every member of the staff sponsored the tuition fees for a total of 38 low-income students in Jingle county, Shanxi province.

Liu has always been particularly focused on poverty-stricken areas. He realized that there were two challenges for selling local specialties in these areas. One was that the poorer the place was, the more difficult it would be to sell products at good prices. The second was that the poorer the place was, the less developed the logistics infrastructure would be. Liu was determined to help address these issues.

Since then, JD.com has supported smaller local specialty brands in building their businesses in a variety of ways. For example, JD has leveraged nationwide logistics to help these local specialty businesses with last mile delivery, now providing same or next day delivery service for 90% of the administrative counties in China.

Additionally, JD has leveraged its e-commerce and experience and technology capabilities to help local specialty businesses increase their brand awareness. For example, JD launched a running chicken program in 2016 to help local farmers raise and sell chickens. The company uses blockchain technology for maximum quality assurance and full traceability.

JD helps support businesses at every step of such programs, from farming, production, marketing, logistics and more. Other JD-supported programs include ducks and fish, providing high quality and green products to customers, as well as helping local farmers rise out of poverty.

As of September 30th, JD has put 3 million kinds of products on its platform from poor areas in China. Sales have surpassed over RMB 100 billion yuan, benefiting over 1 million needy families.

JD’s poverty alleviation efforts across China range from industrial support, employment, start-ups, finance, healthcare and more.

Qingchuan county in Sichuan province is another example. Local fungus sales were impacted by a strong earthquake. In response, JD began helping local famers sell fungus online in 2012, and expanding to other product categories As a result, the farmers’ sales increased by around 50 times.

In terms of employment, JD has helped many poor farmers accelerate their careers.

“We want to provide a sustainable way to help people in poor areas,” Liu said. “We’d rather teach them fishing than give them fish.”

Following Liu’s idea, JD has already helped 50,000 low-income people start new jobs. In addition, JD has launched several thousand training courses related to e-commerce, farming and other experience, and established 103 e-commerce incubators of e-commerce.

Earlier this month, JD announced supportive measures for the agricultural industry in poor rural areas, with an aim to help the industry achieve an output of RMB 1 trillion yuan in the next three years. The company will use its strengths in supply chain, logistics, finance, technology and service to boost performance for the industry.

Liu added, “I hope more and more companies and institutions can join the effort in poverty alleviation, making more people enjoy a happy lifestyle.”

(ling.cao@jd.com)

Dec 3, 2024| ESG

JD Foundation Advances Disability Support Initiatives in Strategic Partnership

Vivian Yang

On November 29, in celebration of the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities, JD Foundation, in collaboration with the Beijing Disabled Persons’ Federation and the Beijing Disabled Persons’ Welfare Foundation, hosted a series of charitable events at JD.com’s headquarters. JD Foundation and the Beijing Disabled Persons’ Welfare Foundation have established a strategic partnership focused on improving the quality of life for people with disabilities, promoting their integration into society, exploring new philanthropic models, and creating awareness for public welfare institutions. These efforts are collectively aimed at achieving high-quality development in disability support services.

JD.com has a longstanding commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities since its inception. As early as 2005, when JD.com entered the e-commerce sector, the company has employed individuals with disabilities. Over the years, the company has expanded its efforts through skills training and empowerment initiatives, facilitating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In October of 2013, JD Customer Service launched the “Sunshine Angels” project, through which hundreds of individuals with disabilities have been employed, with plans to offer part-time positions to 1,000 more. JD.com currently employs over 4,000 individuals with disabilities, a number that continues to grow.

The November 29 event featured a charity bazaar with handicrafts created by people with disabilities. The well-attended bazaar showcased a variety of unique items, including crocheted wool flowers, ornaments, enamelware, bracelets, Beijing silk figurines, children’s paintings, paper cuttings, and postcards. Proceeds from the sales will go toward disability-related charitable causes. JD employees who made purchases each received a certificate and a commemorative badge recognizing their support and participation in disability advocacy.

One of the event’s highlights was a guide dog demonstration, where three guide dog users and their canine companions captured the attention of attendees. The guide dogs demonstrated their ability to assist their owners in navigating streets, avoiding obstacles, and ensuring safe travel. Guide dogs not only help visually impaired individuals to navigate and find destinations but also serve as protectors during emergencies. Beyond their practical assistance, these dogs are invaluable companions, providing emotional support to their owners.

The event also featured an inspiring performance by artists with disabilities from Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, and other regions, in which they presented a rich tapestry of songs, dances, instrumental music, and storytelling. The performance provided a vibrant, heartwarming cultural showcase to attendees.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)

Oct 30, 2024| ESG, JD Worldwide

Ochama Expands in Europe, Launches New Warehouse in Poland to Boost Efficiency

April Chai

Ochama, the European omni-channel retail brand of JD.com, Inc. (also known as JINGDONG), has announced the launch of a new automated warehouse in Poland, aimed at boosting operational efficiency and enhancing customer experience throughout the region.

The new warehouse is strategically located near the Polish-German border, spanning 27,000 square meters. Utilizing a flexible goods-to-person system, it improves picking efficiency to three times that of a traditional approach. The facility enables ochama to achieve 48-hour fulfillment across Poland, with some orders eligible for same-day delivery, while also raising the 48-hour fulfillment rate in Germany to 80%. Additionally, the warehouse utilizes a rooftop photovoltaic power system and new energy forklifts, underscoring ochama’s commitment to sustainability.

This expansion positions ochama to meet the evolving needs of its growing European customer base. Ochama’s orders in Poland and Germany have surged by 284% year-over-year from January to October this year. The new warehouse, alongside ochama’s five other warehouses in the Netherlands and France, will serve customers across 24 European countries. Through a regional distribution strategy, ochama deploys products closer to customers, reducing delivery times and enhancing service efficiency.

Ochama now offers home delivery in 24 European countries, with more than 900 pick-up points across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France, along with over 1,000 pick-up lockers in the Netherlands and Belgium. Through continuous innovation, infrastructure enhancements, and advanced fulfillment capabilities, ochama remains dedicated to providing European customers with an efficient, reliable shopping experience.

About ochama

Ochama is an innovative B2C omni-channel retailer that uses state-of-the-art retail and supply chain solutions to offer a comprehensive, full-category assortment of both top-rated and budget-friendly products at the best prices. A subsidiary of JD.com, Inc., China’s largest retailer by revenue, ochama leverages advanced supply chain technologies and automated warehouses to redefine the shopping landscape. Our slogan, “Shopping made simple,” perfectly captures our mission. We are dedicated to fulfilling all our customers’ needs and providing a shopping experience that is not only easy and convenient but also enjoyable and fun.

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