It’s been exactly 2 months since JD.com announced the launch of its food delivery service, JD Takeaway. With 0-commission perks for participating restaurants and rider welfare, it has been hailed as a “catfish” (meaning disruptor) in the food delivery sector. Now, to further its viral popularity, JD.com founder Richard Liu has made it to Weibo’s Hot Search list again, this time with Li Bin, founder and CEO of EV maker NIO.
What went viral was a very simple interaction on 9 April, when the NIO CEO visited Richard Liu at the JD headquarters and treated him to a meal ordered on the JD Takeaway platform. Li asked Liu during their meeting if JD meant business when entering the food delivery market. Liu responded by saying yes, JD meant to create a takeaway service that is safe and healthy for everyone, from the children to the elderly and when you host guests. Of course, Liu then went on a test drive with Li on NIO’s latest flagship coupe, the ET9, before ordering one on the spot.
On Weibo, the topic “Li Bin has takeaway with Richard Liu” (#李斌和刘强东一起吃外卖#) made it to number 2 on the Hot Search list with 33.92 million views. JD.com also put a photo of the two having lunch together on its app to promote a 20 RMB coupon called “Richard recommends” (东哥选好餐).
The next day, JD Takeaway made its big announcement that from 11 April on, the platform will spend 10 billion RMB (1.36 billion USD) over the next year in voucher giveaways for users and price subsidies for restaurants. JD Takeaway has quickly become a major player in the food delivery space after 2 months, with its focus on both quality and treating drivers right.
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