JD sets to launch JDesigner Boutique, offers designer items

JD is ramping up its experiential retail services with the introduction of a direct-to-consumer online fashion store, JDesigner Boutique.

This follows a series of launches from the e-commerce giant including self-driving trucks, car trunk delivery and the introduction of Muji’s online flagship store.

JDesigner Boutique will stock a range of designers and brands by JD’s own team of retailers. To coincide with the launch, designers Haizhen Wang, Simon Gao and Wanning will provide the boutique with more than 200 sku’s. Wang and Gao will continue their partnership and collaborative effort with JD.com’s JDX platform, the company’s in-house innovation lab.

The online boutique said it is planning to stock “trending fashion apparel directly from designers and brands to sell to the country’s growing number of fashion-savvy consumers”.

“Today it’s hard to believe there was ever an image of an unstylish Chinese consumer,” says JD.com VP of corporate affairs John Gartner. “Now the country boasts millions of fashionistas who present their own unique styles—and that’s the market we are serving with this.”

A pop-up store will open in Beijing’s Sanlitun area next week to support the launch.

Mintel says China’s online market is expected to reach a value of RMB1.3 trillion (US$16 billion), with 73 per cent of Chinese consumers shopping from local e-commerce sites.