Kao Group to Open Flagship Store on JD Worldwide

BEIJING, March 31, 2016 -- Kao Group, a leading Japanese consumer products group, and JD.com (Nasdaq:JD), China’s largest online direct sales company, today jointly announced the establishment of a strategic partnership, including the opening of Kao Group’s cross-border flagship store in May 2016 on JD Worldwide. The store will initially feature maternal and children’s products, with additional product lines expected to be introduced in the future.

Founded in 1887, Kao Group owns a wide range of consumer brands including Laurier, Attack, Bioré and Merries. JD.com began cooperation with Kao China in 2014 for categories covering baby and maternity products, personal care items and cleaning products.

Leveraging JD.com’s bonded warehouse and self-built delivery network, customers of the new flagship store will enjoy efficient delivery of Kao products sourced directly from Japan.

“JD.com is well known for its authentic products and efficient logistics network,” said Toshiaki Takeuchi, Kao Group’s Senior Managing Executive Officer. “We would like to provide high-quality products and services to Chinese consumers by strengthening our relationship with JD.com.”

“We are delighted to launch this cooperation with Kao Group, one of the world’s leading consumer products companies,” said Carol Fung, President of JD.com’s Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Business Unit. “The JD Worldwide platform will provide the safest and most reliable channel for Chinese consumers to purchase premium Kao products, while helping Kao Group to expand its reputation and footprint in the China market.”

Since its launch in April 2015, JD Worldwide has attracted brands and merchants from over 40 countries and regions. JD Worldwide currently features over 2.5 million SKUs from 2,000 top international brands including dozens of Japanese brands.

About Kao Group

With a history of more than 120 years, the Kao Group is currently engaged in business in Japan, Asia and Europe with operational bases in 33 countries and regions. In August 1993, Kao established a subsidiary in Shanghai, China, and began fully participating in the Chinese market.

The Kao Group develops its Consumer Products Business for general consumers in three fields of business: Beauty Care including cosmetics, skincare products and haircare products; Human Health Care including baby diapers and sanitary napkins; and Fabric and Home Care including laundry detergents and household detergents. In its Chemical Products Business, the Group deals with a wide range of chemical products that meet the various needs of industry.

The Kao Group creates innovative products by identifying consumers’ needs based on the consumer’s perspectives and integrating these needs with its creative seeds. Kao develops its business globally striving for the wholehearted satisfaction and enrichment of the lives of people.

About JD.Com

JD.com, Inc. is China’s leading online direct sales company and the country’s largest Internet company by revenue. The Company strives to offer consumers the best online shopping experience. Through its content-rich and user-friendly website jd.com and mobile applications, JD.com offers a wide selection of authentic products at competitive prices and delivers products in a speedy and reliable manner. The Company believes it has the largest fulfillment infrastructure of any e-commerce company in China. JD.com operated 7 fulfillment centers and a total of 213 warehouses in 50 cities, and in total 5,367 delivery stations and pickup stations in 2,356 counties and districts across China, staffed by its own employees. JD.com is a member of the NASDAQ100.

For more information visit:
http://www.ir.jd.com

Contacts:

Kao Corporation
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-3660-7043
Fax: +81-3-3660-7044

JD.com
Media
Josh Gartner
Senior Director of International Communications
+86 (10) 8911-6155 (China)
+1 (914) 439-5315 (US)
[email protected]

Investor Relations
Ruiyu Li
Director of Investor Relations
+86 (10) 8912-6805
[email protected]