China 101
JD.com
京东
China's second-largest e-commerce company, built on self-operated inventory and its own logistics network, with a reputation for authentic goods and same-day delivery.
JD.com started as a Beijing electronics stall in 1998 and moved online in 2004. Unlike Alibaba's marketplace model, JD buys and sells its own inventory, and its defining bet was building a nationwide logistics network from scratch, a capital-heavy choice investors doubted for years.
That bet paid off in speed and trust. JD promises same-day or next-day delivery in most cities, with its own uniformed couriers, and it became the default place to buy phones, appliances, and anything where counterfeits are a fear. Its 618 anniversary sale in June grew into China's second national shopping festival.
JD has expanded into logistics services for third parties, groceries, health care, and instant retail. When Chinese consumers debate where to buy an expensive gadget, the JD-versus-Taobao question usually comes down to JD's authenticity guarantee versus Taobao's endless selection.