Unique and authentic Malaysian brands and goods are now available to the expansive marketplace provided on the JD Worldwide platform, under JD.com, China’s largest retailer by eCommerce value. This is made possible with the launch of the JDmas Malaysia Flagship Store on JD Worldwide.
The event was officiated by YB Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China, who was represented by Mr. Samuel Lee, CEO of Malaysia China Business Council (MCBC). The event was witnessed through online live feed from Beijing, China by HE Raja Dato’ Nushirwan Zainal Abidin, Ambassador of Malaysia to China, Mr. Larry Lee, Vice-President of JD.com, Global Corporate Affairs and Frank Yu, General Manager of JD Worldwide. Present at the launch were Dato’ Ng Wan Peng, COO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDeC) and Puan Sharimaton Mat Saleh, Deputy CEO of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). Representing JDMas Commerce Sdn Bhd were Dato’ Bruce Lim, its managing director, Mr. Martin Ang, Chris Daniel Wong who are directors, and CEO Koay Wei Chin.
The JDMas Malaysia Flagship Store will feature almost 100 brands showcasing close to 300 products such as food & beverages, cosmetics & skincare, fashion & accessories, and even toys and Halal baby diapers. China’s large consumers market can just buy durian products, birdsnests, coffee, curries & pastes, creams and other products just a few clicks using JD’s state of the art B2C eCommerce platform. Among the Malaysian brands are Julie’s biscuits, well-known Nestle food and drinks such as Milo, Maggi and Nescafe, F&N’s 100Plus, Ratu Tumis and Ezeefood’s curries, sauces and pastes, Yong Sheng gifts, Yogood healthfood, Dino Kelulut honey and Tualang honey from Bee Budz and Betu, Lennox birds nest, Vesbo’s birdsnest porridge. The store also features Tanamera, DIEM Duroil and Mase’s personal care products, Bae Bae diapers, Querenda batik fashion and Sun Ta range of toys.
JD.com is China’s largest overall retailer and the country’s biggest Internet company by revenue. It sets the standard for online shopping through its commitment to quality, authenticity, and its vast product offering and unrivalled nationwide fulfilment network that provide same and next day delivery covering 99% of the country – a level of service and speed that is unmatched globally.
“The partnership with JDMas will ensure Malaysian brands are able to reach Chinese consumers online and tap on JD Worldwide’s full suite of services including, marketing, consumer targeting and big data-driven analytics, logistics and warehousing, and financing”, said Frank Yu, General Manager of JD Worldwide through online stream from JD’s headquarters in Beijing.
In his speech, Dato’ Sri Tiong lauded the effort as “significant because it is not the effort of a single company or two, but marks a venture of more than 60 Malaysian SMEs and Mid-Tier companies to come together as Malaysian brands to strategically venture into a significantly large and growing China market with its population of more than 1.3 billion people.”
“I am fascinated and think you’ve hit the nail on its head by featuring Malaysia as a unique melting pot of various cultures with the Peranakan theme, and to feature the richness of Sarawak and Sabah as well. My advise is to engage the China consumers to win their hearts, minds and RMB,” added Tiong.
In her speech, Dato’ Ng Wan Peng praised retailers and brand owners that has gone the digital route. “The opening of JDMas Malaysia flagship store is timely as it comes right at the back of the recently concluded Go-eCommerce Expo, an event that specifically focused on sharing the growing trend that is live streaming eCommerce. Similarly, cross-border trading is also fast growing as many retailers who recently joined the eCommerce ecosystem are now learning that the marketplace outside of Malaysia is massive! The opening of JDMas will further accelerate the acceptance and embracing of e-Commerce among retailers as it provides a new platform for them to look into,” said Dato’ Ng Wan Peng.
On succeeding in the global competition, Puan Sharimaton of Matrade advised “SMEs to overcome price competition by having very clear company value proposition. To distinguish company from competitors is crucial to stand out and attract new customers for business growth”. “By providing a unique product or service, the company can focus on a smaller demographic to increase domain authority,” added Sharimaton.
The Ambassador of Malaysia to China, HE Raja Dato’ Nushirwan Zainal Abidin also welcomed the great potential to use JD’s online platform. HE Ambassador however wish for more non F&B brands to come forward to boost exports, since F&B only contributed to 3.5% of Malaysia’s total export value. “Malaysia’s online has not evolved unlike competitors who have made great gains. Online Chinese market has evolved and has become sophisticated and discerning. Chinese consumers now demand premium products in terms of its quality, design, branding, packaging and innovation”, said the Ambassador.
“And they are willing to pay top dollar for these types of products. At the same time, Malaysian companies must invest to penetrate the China market”, the Ambassador advised.
Realising this, Dato’ Bruce Lim urged the merchants of JDMas to take up the challenge by providing innovative and unique products and services to ensure long term sustainability and growth. “It is a marathon journey of growth, not a sprint”, added Lim.
The launch was concluded when the Guest of Honour successfully delivered a parcel from Malaysia to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing, which was personally handed over by the Vice-President of JD.com, Mr. Larry Lee to the Ambassador himself.
