Walmart and Chinese e-tailer JD.com have expanded their strategic partnership to integrate their supply chains and customers resources.
Walmart and JD will integrate their inventory management systems so that when a customers orders something on JD.com, the stock system will calculate whether a JD distribution centre or a Walmart store is closer to the consumer, allowing products to get to customers faster. Six pilot projects will take place in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Wuhan.
The integration includes the launch of an omni-channel shopping festival ‘8.8’ on 8 August, offering consumers in China fast and convenient access to high-quality products on multiple channels.
The partnership will allow Walmart customers to scan QR codes at 400 Walmart stores to earn coupons for use on Walmart’s online stores on JD.com for the 8.8 shopping festival with savings across both online and offline stores.
Ben Hassing, senior vice president of Walmart China eCommerce and Technology, said that since forming its strategic partnership with JD.com in June last year, Walmart has continued to expand its omni-channel stratify in China.
'Our ability to tap into JD.com's advantages across logistics, big data, technology and customer service gives Walmart a huge advantage in reaching China's rapidly expanding consumer class,” Hassing said. “We look forward to further bringing together our strengths in digital and physical retail to take the customer experience in China to the next level.'
'As technology pushes the boundaries of what is possible, JD.com and Walmart's global supply chain excellence offers complementary platforms and a commitment to customers that provides us with an enormous opportunity to define the future of retail in China,' added Carol Fung, President of JD Fast Moving Consumer Goods.
JD has ventured into bricks-and-mortar as well, opening a JD Home store inside a Walmart store in Shenzhen, and opening JD collection stations at Walmart stores.
Walmart China's vice-president of fresh food merchandising,WinstoneChee, will be joining a panel of expert speakers to talk retail in Asia at Asiafruit Congress on 5 September.
