Chinese e-commerce giant in Amazon’s footsteps

China’s largest online retailer Global JD or JD.com has announced it will enter the Australian market and open its regional HQ in Melbourne.
The Victorian Government has been courting JD.com to come to Victoria, hoping the move will give local businesses the opportunity to share their skills, products and expertise with new global markets.
JD.com has over 266 million customer accounts making it one of the largest – some say largest – e-commerce companies in China. The company’s presence in Victoria is hoped to help local businesses connect with new customers.
The company operates China’s largest nationwide distribution network with seven centres and more than 400 warehouses servicing 2,830 counties and districts throughout China. It sells everything from vitamins and electronics to clothing and books.
The government said representatives from JD.com visited Victoria in October for Food and Beverage Trade Week and were able “to get up close and personal with major Victorian businesses across the state”.
JD.com will join other e-commerce companies that have set up in Victoria in recent times, “cementing the state’s position as the national leader in e-commerce” according to the government.
Trade with China is very important to the Victorian economy, with 2016-17 total two-way trade between Victoria and China reaching $23.4 billion.