JD.com is a renowned company specializing in providing technology services and is esteemed as a great logistics network. The company unveiled two robotic stores in the Netherlands under the debuted name “ochama” on January 10th, 2022. It also announced that more shops would soon be launched in different other locations. The company’s recent retail model presents an innovative shopping structure that combines online shopping, home delivery, and pick-up stores where robots package and prepare products. The initial two ochama pick-up stores are located in Leiden and Rotterdam. However, two more stores in Amsterdam (Diemen) and Utrecht will soon be unveiled.
Significantly, it is the first time the Chinese e-commerce company has unveiled a brick-and-mortar shop in Europe. Ochama’s brand name comes from combining “omnichannel” and “wonderful.” It is also the first omnichannel vendor in the Netherlands to combine food and non-food items in a single shopping platform. Pass lei, the general manager of JD Worldwide’s Ochama, touted the company’s extensive retail experience and advanced logistics solutions as a selling point to establish an unparalleled shopping model for customers in Europe with excellent prices and quality services.
The omnichannel approach enables customers to shop for items online using ochama’s App. The App features a comprehensive set of A-brand products, including fresh and processed food, home gadgets, beauty products, child care products, clothing, home decor, and many more items.
The computerized warehouse is among its upcoming pick-up shop, where visitors can see a fleet of robots collecting, arranging, and moving products. These include AGVs, also known as automated ground vehicles, robotic arms, and other advanced technologies. Customers will also be able to watch their purchases being delivered to them by the conveyer belt by just scanning the App’s QR code at the payment and check-out area, thus experiencing a cashier-less and trouble-free shopping session.
Mark den Butter, Ochama’s Chief Operating Officer, said that with effective exploitation of the company’s logistics and supply chain control technology, the outlets might reduce prices of goods by a lower 10 percent to the advantage of the company’s member customers. Clients can still go to the pick-up store’s display to experience and see ochama’s current products, or they can opt for the next-day home delivery option, which will bring their goods to their doorsteps without having to visit the pick-up store themselves.
In European countries, the Netherlands is among the most urbanized nations. According to World Bank, 92 percent of the country’s population would live in cities with a polycentric urban layout by 2020. This data indicates market availability in the urban areas and prompted ochama to set up stores in four cities across the country.
Den Butter added that the Dutch are enthusiastic about innovation and sustainable business practices, and ochama’s retail concept is formulated to support both ideologies. According to him, there will be no lines for customers, and fewer traffic congestions will happen when doing tasks or chores. Clients will prefer ochama as it will be convenient to shop at the brand and everything will be under one roof, and this time it will be online as well.
About JD.com and its founder Richard Liu
E-commerce continues to quickly overtake traditional shopping ways for busy professionals and those trying to save time. Therefore, it is no surprise that businesses looking to stay relevant are reframing their business concepts to emphasize online shopping methods.
Now that many huge organizations are starting to realize the many advantages of putting their businesses online, it is clear that Richard Liu was a step ahead of everyone. Liu’s business ventures in the internet marketplace started several years before any of his competition began. His globally recognized company, JD.com, is credited for supplying over 300 million active customers in China with every product they need, from fresh foodstuffs to luxury clothing.
JD.com has a stellar impression among customers and business associates because of its unparalleled expertise in the e-commerce market.