Japanese consumer goods producer Kao Group is going to open a flagship store on JD Worldwide, a cross-border e-commerce platform of China’s second largest e-commerce company JD.com, in May 2016. The two companies have reached a strategic partnership and made the announcement on Thursday.
The store will initially feature maternal and children’s products, with additional product lines expected to be introduced in the future.
Founded in 1887, Kao Group owns a wide range of consumer brands including Laurier, Attack, Bioré and Merries. JD.com began cooperation with Kao China in 2014 for categories covering baby and maternity products, personal care items and cleaning products.
Leveraging JD.com’s bonded warehouse and self-built delivery network, customers of the new flagship store will enjoy efficient delivery of Kao products sourced directly from Japan.
“JD.com is well known for its authentic products and efficient logistics network,” said Toshiaki Takeuchi, Kao Group’s Senior Managing Executive Officer. “We would like to provide high-quality products and services to Chinese consumers by strengthening our relationship with JD.com.”
“We are delighted to launch this cooperation with Kao Group, one of the world’s leading consumer products companies,” said Carol Fung, President of JD.com’s Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Business Unit. “The JD Worldwide platform will provide the safest and most reliable channel for Chinese consumers to purchase premium Kao products, while helping Kao Group to expand its reputation and footprint in the China market.”
JD.com launched JD Worldwide in April 2015 to provide a platform for international producers and suppliers to sell directly to Chinese consumers without requiring an established presence in China. Since its launch, the cross-border e-commerce platform has attracted brands and merchants from over 40 countries and regions. JD Worldwide currently features over 2.5 million SKUs from 2,000 top international brands including dozens of Japanese brands.