Chinese ecommerce giant JD.com bets big on online grocery, lower-tier markets amid slowing economy

The Beijing-based company is looking to boost its online grocery business through offline partnerships and expansion into lower-tier cities. China’s ecommerce market is facing growing headwinds amid a souring economy and rigid Covid-19 restrictions. — SCMP

Chinese ecommerce giant JD.com is ramping up its online grocery business and lower-tier market operations, as a slowing economy and draconian Covid-19 restrictions raise the urgency for the country’s largest private business to seek new growth engines.

The Beijing-based firm announced on Tuesday that it aimed to bring more shoppers to its JD Supermarket service partly by strengthening partnerships with offline retailers, including Walmart.