Oct 26, 2020|
Spike in Gifts for Elderly Ahead of China’s Seniors’ Day
by Kelly Dawson
Pronounced “jiu” in Mandarin, the number nine is a homonym for a character indicating a “long and healthy life.” As such, China honors its elderly each year on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Lunar Calendar, on “Seniors’ Day.”
According to JD’s data, younger and middle-aged consumers began preparing gifts for their elderly loved ones weeks ahead of this year’s festival, which fell on October 25th. Searches spiked in descending order for mothers, fathers, mother-in-laws and father-in-laws.
The most common gifts for parents included coats, sweaters, leather shoes, down jackets and other warm, fashionable items. Mother-in-laws tended to receive slightly less functional gifts, including bracelets, scarves and necklaces. Father-in-laws received the least attention, but their gifts tended to be the most specific, with items including fishing rods, tea, baijiu alcohol and cigarettes.
JD’s data also indicated a spike in sales for other items in which “elderly” was mentioned in the product description, including shoes, bags, clothing and more. Mahogany furniture, most popular among elderly consumers, saw sales increase by 2.4 times year-on-year.
Additionally, the number of searches for devices related to leg and joint health, massage and health care for the elderly increased by five times in the weeks before the festival.
While elderly consumers (56 years -old and above) received their fair share of gifts for the festival, this particular demographic is also increasing its own purchasing share. Necessitated by the lockdowns during the height of the pandemic earlier this year, droves of elderly consumers began shopping online for the first time. In fact, the growth rate of new online shoppers has been highest among the elderly this year.
Now, even as life gradually returns to normal, many elderly shoppers continue to take advantage of the convenience and ease of purchasing online. According to JD’s data, the number of online consultation orders for elderly users increased by 233 times year-on-year.
Elderly consumers most commonly buy vegetables, fruit and meat online, but their consumption of nutritional and health products has also increased by 83%. Sales of fitness training products also increased by more than 100%.
Elderly consumers aren’t only buying items with their physical health in mind; their attention has also shifted to include products related to spiritual and educational nourishment. Sales of history books increased by 77% year-on-year among elderly shoppers; and the sales of photography and other hobby products to elderly shoppers increased by more than 50%. Their attention is also increasingly being diverted to their pet companions, with the number of orders for online pet products and services increasing by 2.1 times year-on-year.
They’re also enjoying a little self-pampering and self-care, with beauty product sales increasing by 87% among elderly shoppers. Jewelry and hair accessories saw an increase of 50% too.
Many are becoming more educated and aware of online trends related to consumer categories and brands. For example: In Beijing, Shanghai and Fujian, elderly consumers are most likely to buy celebrity-endorsed products.
Jul 12, 2024|
JD.com Secures Direct Supply of Fresh Durians from Malaysia
On July 9th, JD Super, the online supermarket division of JD.com, signed a direct procurement agreement with Malaysia-based Tanah Makmur Berhad (TMB) to import fresh durians, including popular varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn. The first shipment of the natural tree-drop fruit is expected to arrive in China in September.
This collaboration follows the recent signing of the Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Durian from Malaysia to China on June 19th, a significant milestone aimed at bolstering trade links between the two markets.
Ahead of this partnership, JD Super’s procurement team visited durian orchards in Raub, Pahang, known as the “home of Musang King,” to inspect the quality of the naturally ripened fruits. The team also visited local suppliers and processing factories to identify partners that meet JD’s stringent standards for safe and reliable delivery.
JD Super’s director procurement team at a durian orchard in Raub, Pahang, Malaysia
TMB manages an extensive durian plantation spanning over 2,500 acres in Pahang, with over 100,000 durian trees.
At the signing ceremony, a JD Super spokesperson expressed confidence in the company’s established supply chain capabilities to facilitate the entry of Malaysian fresh durians into China. Leveraging JD’s logistics infrastructure, the imported durians will benefit from full cold chain delivery across China, ensuring product quality and timely distribution.
Sultan Abdullah (second from the left), the sixteenth King of Malaysia, attended the signing ceremony
China is the world’s largest importer and consumer of durians, accounting for over 80% of the global annual fruit production. Since approving the import of frozen durian pulp and paste in 2011 and whole frozen durians in 2018, China now receives 78% of Malaysia’s durian exports, highlighting the strong demand within the Chinese market.
(vivian.yang@jd.com)
Jun 19, 2024|
UEFA Euro 2024 and JD618 Grand Promotion: A Celebration of Football and International Flavors
As UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off, it coincides with the peak of the JD618 Grand Promotion on June 15th. To mark the occasion, nine diplomats and trade, commerce, and sports representatives from Austria, Belgium, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, the Czech Republic, and the U.K. have come together for a special JD video to celebrate and showcase their countries’ specialties to Chinese football fans.
European Delights for Football Fans
Nothing complements a football match like European wines and beers. Richard Baker, head of China at Scottish Development International (SDI), invites Chinese fans to enjoy the games with authentic Scotch whiskies or refreshing Scottish craft gin —perfect for the high-stakes moments of the matches.
Martina Mihalova, Economic & Trade Counselor at the Slovak Embassy in Beijing, recommends Slovakia’s celebrated noble wine and MATYSAK 100% grape juice, noting their sweet notes pair excellently with spicy Chinese dishes such as Sichuan cuisine. Similarly, Veronika Břízová, Political Diplomat from the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Beijing, and Kiran Patel, Senior Director of the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), endorse their countries’ esteemed beers and premium food products.
For those enjoying late-night games, Didier Denayer, Economic and Commercial Counselor for the Walloon Region of the Belgian Embassy to China, suggests indulging in Belgium’s renowned chocolates and fries. From Spain, David Picazo, President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, recommends a selection of hams, cheeses, and seafood as perfect accompaniments for cheering on the Spanish team. Marcin Motyka, Business Development Manager of the Polish Investment & Trade Agency, highlights snacks like crunchy pretzels, tasty pierogi, and gingerbread for an authentic Polish experience.
Dr. Michael Berger, Commercial Counselor at the Austrian Embassy to China, suggests keeping energy levels high with Austria’s Red Bull and high-calcium milk during late-night matches. Marko Zorić, a former professional football player from Serbia who used to play in the Chinese Super League, encourages Chinese fans to enjoy Serbian coffee, fruit juices, jams, and more while supporting his home team.
JD.com: Bridging Cultures and Markets
More than 60 countries have opened nearly 140 country-themed online flagship stores on JD.com, known as “JD National Pavilions.” This initiative, supported by the respective embassies and authoritative organizations in China, offers an efficient way to introduce Chinese consumers to premium international goods.
Further enhancing its sourcing capabilities, JD.com’s cross-border import platform, JD Worldwide, established its first self-operated overseas warehouse in Paris this past January. This move ensures a direct supply of the latest European fashion items to Chinese consumers.
For fans eager to experience the European Championship firsthand, JD Travel offers a selection of match tickets, game-watching tours, exclusive trips to Europe, and travel products. Lucky consumers can also win generous European tour prizes.
As UEFA Euro 2024 unfolds alongside the JD618 Grand Promotion, JD.com stands at the intersection of sports and global commerce, bringing the excitement of the championship and the allure of international flavors to Chinese consumers. This unique blend of events not only elevates the viewing experience but also fosters deeper cultural connections, showcasing the best each country has to offer. With its innovative platforms and dedicated services, JD.com continues to build bridges between nations, celebrating the spirit of global unity and shared passions.
JD Adds New Air Cargo Route to Speed up Delivery Service
