Metcash eyes massive Chinese market with JD.com deal

Grocery operator Metcash has teamed up with Chinese retail heavyweight JD.com to launch a Fresh Pantry e-commerce concept store in the Chinese market.

JD has advised via its corporate blog that JD Worldwide shoppers can now shop at Metcash’s Fresh Pantry, with the online store focusing on categories including food, household, baby and maternal, wine and healthcare.

Chinese consumers will have access to Australian and New Zealand products, with brands such as Vasse Virgin and Australian Diaries becoming available in the Chinese market for the first time.

Fresh Pantry currently has two physical grocery stores in Australia, with another 10 scheduled to open later this year.

“We are very excited to be joining JD.com, China’s largest retailer,” Will Zhao, Metcash head of China operations, commented.

“With a physical store based in the CBD of Melbourne, the store on JD Worldwide will look to become the preeminent platform for Australian and New Zealand products and deliver an authentic Fresh Pantry shopping experience to consumers in China.”

Winston Cheng, JD.com president of international, pointed to an increasing Chinese consumer demand for Australian products.

“As Chinese online shoppers grow ever more sophisticated and discerning, they are gravitating to high-quality Australian food and healthcare brands,” Cheng commented.

“I am confident that Fresh Pantry, with its focus on quality and selection, is an excellent fit for our platform.”

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