JD.com has launched an office in Paris in a bid to help build its relationships with French luxury, fashion, food and wine brands as it bolsters its presence in Europe.
China’s largest retailer and second-largest e-commerce company has appointed Florent Courau as managing director for JD.com in France. Courau has previously held various management positions for LVMH Group in both France and China over a 12-year period, he was also COO of Sephora in charge of North Asia operations.
Courau will be tasked with developing JD.com’s French brand portfolio in sectors such as luxury, fashion, cosmetics, food, wine and spirits as the company looks to help French brands target JD.com’s 266.3 million active customers.
The launch follows a deal between JD.com and France’s official trade promotion agency Business France to sell €2 billion of French goods to Chinese consumers over the next two years. JD has also inked a deal with French industrial engineering giant Fives, to purchase another €100 million in French industrial products.
JD.com will also launch a logistics center in France to manage the transportation of French products to JD’s customers in China.
Winston Cheng, International president of JD.com, said, "JD’s push into France demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our relationship with our French partners."
Courau added, "JD.com is the preferred destination for upwardly mobile Chinese consumers looking for authentic, quality products. Our customers value the quality of French products, making this a critical market for us to further expand our brand relationships. Our Paris office will be committed to providing tailor-made support to our French partners who want to seize the immense opportunity that JD offers.”
The move is the latest by JD.com as it expands its business to challenge rival e-commerce giant Alibaba and strengthen its position within China.