JD.com makes RMB1 billion (US$141 million) plunge into online fashion expansion

CHINA. JD.com (also known as JINGDONG) today announced an expansion of its apparel business with an additional investment of RMB1 billion (US$141 million) designed to establish JD Fashion as a leading destination for stylish global apparel.

The investment is a combination of financial capital and market resources. It represents a power play by the Chinese ecommerce giant, which in 2023 posted net revenues of RMB1,084.7 billion (US$152.8 billion), up +3.7% year-on-year.

JD said the move will broaden and enhance the range of fashion offerings available to consumers, providing a significant boost for both domestic and international brands.

JD.com maintains partnerships with leading fashion groups including Inditex, H&M, and GAP, and offers selections from over 90% of the world’s most-recognised luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent {All photos: JD.com}

“The initiative aims to introduce a variety of stylish new products to JD’s customers, featuring simultaneous launches by thousands of brands on JD’s online platform,” the company said.

These launches will be bolstered by enhanced marketing initiatives and will leverage JD Fashion’s expansion into new realms through partnerships with celebrities, acclaimed designers, and innovative cross-industry collaborations.

Central to these efforts is JD’s Little Magic Cube channel, an innovative marketing tool focused on accelerating product launches.

By leveraging the Little Magic Cube and external marketing resources, JD will help brands effectively engage target audiences and reduce the time-to-market for new products, the company said.

Fashion forward

Earlier this month, JD.com posted a +1.2% year-on-year increase in net sales to RMB291.4 billion (US$40.1 billion) for the second quarter ended 30 June

When it announced those results, the company commented on its fashion aspirations, saying: “In the second quarter, JD.com officially onboarded the luxury fashion brand Moncler and American luxury lifestyle brand alexanderwang.

Towering presence: JD.com headquarters in Beijing

“JD.com also established a strategic partnership with Inditex, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, with Massimo Dutti as the first of Inditex’s brands launching a flagship store on JD.com.

“JD.com will continue to carry out diversified and deepened cooperation with fashion brands and provide users with more enriched and convenient online shopping experience.”

Additionally, as part of this investment, JD.com’s ‘10-billion-yuan Discount’ (US$1.4 billion) programme will offer daily opportunities for customers to enjoy a RMB30 (US$4.23) discount on purchases of RMB300 (US$42.30) or more.

In collaboration with influential media platforms such as Vogue and Xiaohongshu (RED), JD Fashion will unveil upcoming fall and winter fashion trends on 6 September, offering a rich selection of stylish choices and content, enriching their shopping journey.

Shopping convenience enhanced

JD Global Sales (京东全球售), JD.com’s international ecommerce division that caters to Chinese consumers globally, this week announced enhancements to its overseas shipping services for customers in the US, Japan, and Singapore.

Shoppers now have access to improved logistics options, including consolidated shipping and three direct shipping models: Air Express, Air Standard and Sea Economical.

These services are available for self-operated (1P) products purchased via the JD.com app.

JD.com’s global sales business focuses on serving overseas Chinese consumers with a diverse array of high-quality branded products, including electronics, small appliances, home goods, apparel, beauty products, books, food items, and more.

Since the beginning of 2024, JD.com has reported a +60% year-on-year increase in leading apparel and footwear brands and a +200% increase in third-party apparel merchants. Over 100 sub-categories have experienced a fivefold increase in new product launches. ✈

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