JD Logistics – Data Analyst Intern

JD.com opens Seoul buying office to expand Korean product sourcing. Leila Gadirli Pirgulieva Editor August 13, 2026 China's e-commerce giant JD.com has opened a direct sourcing office in Seoul as it seeks to expand its procurement of Korean consumer goods and respond to growing demand for Korean products among Chinese shoppers. The new purchasing unit marks a deeper integration between Korean brands and China's rapidly expanding digital retail ecosystem, while offering Korean exporters a more direct route to reach Chinese consumers. Korean consumer goods exports rebound. The move comes as Korean consumer-goods exports show signs of recovery following several years of post-pandemic weakness. Shipments across five major categories - cosmetics, food, fashion, household goods and pharmaceuticals - increased 8.7% year-on-year to $3.44 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with $3.16 billion during the same period a year earlier, according to Korea Customs Service data cited by The Korea Times. Trade officials see China's digital commerce platforms as an increasingly important channel for Korean brands seeking to rebuild their presence in the market. JD.com, alongside platforms such as Douyin and Alibaba, is becoming part of a broader shift toward direct digital distribution rather than relying exclusively on traditional export intermediaries. JD.com signs $1.5 million in supply deals. To mark the opening of its new Seoul purchasing unit, Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) hosted a business matchmaking event with JD.com executives. The delegation included 12 senior JD.com executives, led by Vincent Yang, the company's vice chairman and head of cross-border business. Around 200 Korean consumer brands participated in the event, where JD.com conducted 54 one-on-one procurement meetings. Following the meetings, JD.com signed supply contracts with nine Korean companies worth a combined $1.5 million over the next year. Among the companies was fashion brand Reclow, which will sell its apparel through a self-operated flagship store on JD.com. Jewelry brand Lloyd was also among the businesses entering supply agreements with the Chinese platform. For Korean SMEs, direct platform integration could help reduce some of the logistical, payment and market-entry challenges associated with exporting to China. China's e-commerce market creates new opportunities. China's online retail sector has expanded significantly in recent years. Online sales accounted for around 30% of China's total retail market in 2020, but that share has now risen to more than 44%, highlighting the growing importance of digital channels in reaching Chinese consumers. Changing consumer behavior is also influencing the types of products Korean companies are bringing to the Chinese market. Value-conscious spending, demographic changes and the continued shift toward online shopping are encouraging brands to adapt their products and sales strategies. For Korean exporters, selling directly through major Chinese platforms can provide access to established digital infrastructure and a large consumer base without depending entirely on conventional distribution networks. JD.com plans dedicated Korean goods section. JD.com plans to expand a dedicated section for Korean products on its platform and work with KOTRA to identify additional Korean companies with export potential. The platform already operates a logistics entity in Korea that provides customs and fulfillment services, giving Korean sellers access to infrastructure that can support cross-border transactions. Kim Min-hwa, head of JD.com's Korea office, said Korean consumer goods continue to perform steadily on the platform, citing their quality and appeal among Chinese consumers. The company's expanded sourcing operation could therefore provide Korean brands with a more structured route into JD.com's marketplace. Direct platform integration becomes more important. KOTRA is increasingly emphasizing direct purchasing relationships between Korean exporters and major Chinese e-commerce platforms. The strategy reflects a broader transformation in cross-border commerce, where marketplaces are moving beyond simply providing a digital storefront and are becoming more closely involved in sourcing, logistics, fulfillment and international distribution. For Korean SMEs, these relationships could create more predictable order flows while lowering some of the operational barriers traditionally associated with entering overseas markets. JD.com's Seoul sourcing office represents another step toward this model, connecting Korean manufacturers directly with one of the world's largest e-commerce ecosystems. As Chinese consumers continue to shift their spending online, closer integration between Korean suppliers and Chinese digital platforms could become an increasingly important driver of cross-border trade.

JD.com expands direct sourcing in South Korea, partners with Nine Korean brands. * JD.com establishes a local sourcing subsidiary in South Korea, creating a Korean-speaking gateway for brands seeking to reach Chinese consumers * Nine Korean consumer brands, including E-Land Group's LLOYD and RECLOW, sign strategic partnerships with JINGDONG Cross-Border * More than 200 Korean companies participate in JD.com's sourcing and business matchmaking event in Seoul SEOUL, August 12, 2026 - JD.com is expanding its direct sourcing capabilities in South Korea with a new local procurement operation, making it easier for Korean brands to reach Chinese consumers and bringing more quality Korean products to China. The announcement was made at a sourcing and business matchmaking event held in Seoul on August 12 in collaboration with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. More than 200 Korean consumer goods companies participated. During the event, JINGDONG Cross-Border, JD.com's cross-border import platform, signed strategic cooperation agreements with nine Korean consumer brands across fashion, lifestyle, beauty and other categories, including E-Land Group's LLOYD and RECLOW. With growing demand in China for quality international products, Korean beauty, fashion, food and lifestyle brands continue to attract strong consumer interest. Through direct sourcing, JINGDONG Cross-Border purchases products directly from brands and connects them with JD.com's retail, supply chain and consumer ecosystem, helping reduce the complexity of entering and operating in the Chinese market. Under the new partnerships, JINGDONG Cross-Border will directly source selected RECLOW products and launch a JD-operated flagship store for the brand. LLOYD and other participating brands will also connect directly with Chinese consumers through official flagship stores on JD.com. JD.com's new sourcing team provides Korean brands with a local, Korean-speaking point of contact in Seoul, allowing JD.com work more closely with brands, identify products suited to Chinese consumer demand and provide localized support. "Quality Korean products have continued to gain popularity among JD.com customers," said a representative of JINGDONG Cross-Border's Korea sourcing business. "Our local sourcing presence allows us to work more closely with Korean brands, understand their products and growth ambitions, and bring more high-quality Korean products to consumers in China." "For small and medium-sized companies, strong products alone are not always enough to enter the Chinese market," said Kim Sung-jun, CEO of RECLOW. "JD.com's direct sourcing model helps reduce the burden of logistics and settlement, allowing us to focus on our products." A representative from E-Land Group added that direct cooperation with JD.com can help reduce operational complexity in China while bringing quality products to consumers at more competitive prices. JD.com's sourcing expansion builds on its existing presence in South Korea. JINGDONG Logistics, the logistics arm of JD.com, has already established a specialized logistics entity in the country, providing solutions including import and export services, bonded warehousing and other shipping services. Together with the new local sourcing team, these capabilities provide stronger end-to-end support for Korean brands seeking opportunities in China. JINGDONG Cross-Border continues to expand opportunities for international brands through JD.com's integrated sourcing, retail, logistics and supply chain capabilities. In July 2025, it launched the "10 Billion GigaGrowth Plan," aiming to introduce 1,000 new international brands over three years and support RMB 10 billion in cumulative sales growth, helping more global brands establish and grow their presence in China. JD.com will continue to strengthen direct sourcing efforts in South Korea and expand partnerships with Korean brands, bringing more quality products, new launches and exclusive offerings to Chinese consumers. By combining local expertise with its integrated supply chain capabilities, JD.com aims to create a more efficient bridge between global brands and one of the world's largest consumer markets.

JD.com will report second-quarter 2026 results on 13 August, with revenue expected to reflect its 618 Grand Promotion, expanding services, and increased investment in artificial intelligence and international operations. While campaigns like 618 and growth in food delivery and JD Logistics may have supported sales, they likely added cost pressures that could affect near-term profitability. The company issued CNY 10 billion in senior unsecured notes in April 2026 for general corporate purposes and debt repayment, providing balance sheet flexibility as spending on promotions, AI initiatives, and international expansion increases. JD.com's narrative projects CNY 1,517.4 billion revenue and CNY 45.1 billion earnings by 2028, assuming 6.2% yearly revenue growth.