After 618 sales festival in China — the big three shops!

3 early signals and news. Every Monday. Episode 479.

Strong in China, coming strong in the EU — JD.com

JD.com is one of China’s largest B2C e-commerce companies, distinguishing itself from competitors by operating primarily as a direct retailer that manages its own inventory rather than functioning solely as an open marketplace. The company is renowned for its advanced, technology-driven logistics infrastructure, which allows it to provide highly reliable, same-day or next-day delivery to a vast majority of the Chinese population. Opinion — Indeed, famous as a big and mighty logistics company — able to deliver within 500 km within 6 hours. Always recognisable with a dog as a logo. And spreading country by country in Europe with the international brand, Joybuy.

Big in logistics, big in China.

From food delivery to accessories — Taobao

The number one! Owned by Alibaba Group, Taobao is China’s largest online C2C marketplace, providing a platform for millions of individual sellers and small businesses to connect directly with consumers. It functions as an interactive “super-app” that blends traditional retail with social features, live-streaming, and personalised AI-driven recommendations to create an engaging, daily shopping experience. Opinion — Taobao is the universal commerce app — delivering anything from hamburgers to ventilators. Also famous for its live commerce version called Taobao Live and its separate app T.Mall (Taobao-Mall) from foreign and more exclusive brands, like in a mall.

The number one!

The more you buy, the cheaper — Pinduoduo.

Bulk purchasing. Pinduoduo distinguishes itself through a “social commerce” model, incentivising users to form shopping groups via social media to unlock significant discounts. By connecting consumers directly to manufacturers and agricultural producers, the company bypasses traditional retail layers to offer highly competitive, value-oriented pricing on a wide array of goods. A system that works well in a family-drive culture like China. Opinion — Direct from producer to consumer, this is the key for Pinduoduo success, starting with food and agricultural products and now anything. A vast IT and logistic system behind…which is being used for the international offer, called Temu.

Bulk purchase number One and now a large competitor with a byteDance app.