Jan 25, 2021|
Themed Calendars Gain Popularity among Consumers
by Rachel Liu
People may like to buy calendars ahead of Chinese New Year, as the beginning of a new year brings a fresh start and good luck. JD’s big data shows that themed calendars launched by museums and art organizations have enjoyed great popularity at the turn of the year. On December 30th, sales of a Forbidden City themed calendar increased 450% YOY.
Designed by the Forbidden City Cultural Products flagship store, the Forbidden City calendar follows China’s traditional Almanac, which is based on the lunar calendar and provides guidance on what to do on each day. The cover of the calendar features the classic “Forbidden City red” color and is decorated with the Shen Wu Gate, the north entrance of the Forbidden City, auspicious clouds, and a crane, which stands for longevity and luck in Chinese culture. This calendar also introduces 24 seasonal division points in lunar calendar. According to JD’s Big Data Research Institute, these traditional almanac and other calendars that introduce Chinese traditional culture are the highest-selling ones on JD.
Calendars designed by the Chinese National Museum and the British Museum also received great popularity. The Chinese National Museum calendar introduces 365 different relics from Chinese history, while the British Museum calendar designed 12 themes, one for each month based on historical relics, providing knowledge and fun for customers. JD data shows that female customers like to gift calendars related to art and culture to their friends, and sales of these two kinds of calendars both increased over 270% YOY.
Some calendars aim to capture the hearts of niche customer groups. For example, there is a special “cloud calendar” for sale on JD designed for customers who love the sky. Each page of the calendar contains a photo of clouds collected from netizens living all over the world since 2016. Sales of book calendars, which introduce one book on each page, increased 3.4 times YOY. Customers can scan the QR codes on each page for audio introductions on each book.
“Calendars are not only a tool for checking dates for Chinese customers, but have become a way to express their tastes and personalities. We noticed that more and more customers like to buy themed calendars or specially designed calendars to add some colors to their desks or send to their friends as gifts,” said a sales representative from JD Fashion and Lifestyle.
Nov 7, 2024|
CIIE 2024: JD.com to Expand Imports of Specialty Brands, Strengthen Healthcare Partnerships, and Enhance Logistics
At the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5, JD Super, the supermarket division of JD.com, announced a major initiative to broaden its selection of imported specialty. Over the next three years, JD Super plans to introduce over 1,000 new international brands to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, diverse imported goods.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Quality Imports
According to JD Worldwide’s “White Paper on 2024 China Cross-Border Consumption Trends,” more than 80% of Chinese consumers are interested in imported products, with many prioritizing authenticity, quality, and fast delivery. In response, JD has significantly expanded its range of international offerings. During the ongoing Singles’ Day Grand Promotion, sales of cross-border products have surged, with more than 600 brands experiencing a sales increase of over 100% compared to last year.
Strengthening High-Quality Food Partnerships
Demonstrating JD.com’s commitment to sourcing high-quality products, JD Super signed a new procurement agreement at CIIE with Huadong Foods and Teys, a major Australian beef brand under Cargill. Under this agreement, JD Super and Huadong Foods will procure $50 million of Teys beef throughout 2025. This partnership underscores JD’s strategy of collaborating with trusted suppliers to provide high-quality, affordable beef to Chinese consumers.
Delivering Authentic Global Goods Efficiently
JD Logistics has built a robust logistics network that spans bonded, direct mail, and overseas warehouses, facilitating fast deliveries of imported items across categories such as electronics, fashion, beauty, food, and baby products. In many major cities, delivery times have been reduced to under 48 hours.
For instance, JD Super’s partnership with Raub of Malaysia enables the import of Musang King durians, which are harvested at peak ripeness and air-shipped with cold chain logistics for delivery within 24 hours. Additionally, JD.com also secured an early supply of Chilean cherries, available since October, which can be delivered in as little as 30 minutes in many areas through JD NOW, its on-demand retail service.
JD.com’s “JD National Pavilions” program, which features over 150 country-themed flagship stores from more than 70 countries and regions, continues to be a cornerstone of its import strategy. Supported by embassies and reputable organizations, this initiative offers Chinese consumers access to premium products and cultural experiences from around the world. In April, JD launched the JD National Pavilion of Mali, introducing popular items like shea butter and garnering over 40,000 followers.
Expanding Healthcare and Logistics Partnerships
JD Health is also making strides at CIIE by strengthening partnerships with leading global healthcare companies, including Merck, Bayer, and Roche. As “China’s premier online health access point,” JD Health is committed to integrating digital and physical healthcare resources to improve access and convenience for patients.
Key collaborations include initiatives with Haleon to promote brain health and anti-aging for the “silver economy,” with MSD China on a digital diabetes management model, and with Teva Pharmaceuticals to provide patient education for conditions such as tardive dyskinesia (TD) and Huntington’s disease (HD).
On the logistics front, JD Logistics announced plans to double its overseas warehouse space by 2025 and expand its network of bonded and direct mail warehouses. JD Express now serves over 60 countries, enhancing cross-border delivery efficiency and supporting both brands and consumers.
Through these efforts, JD.com reaffirms its commitment to sourcing and delivering authentic, high-quality imported products to Chinese consumers, supported by an advanced supply chain that ensures a superior shopping experience.
(vivian.yang@jd.com)
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