Cainiao launches supermarket distribution centre in Chengdu
Cainiao, the logistics affiliate of Alibaba, has launched its first supermarket distribution centre in southwestern China. The centre, which is located in Chengdu, provides customers in southwestern China with next-day delivery services for Tmall supermarket products. In an official statement issued today (22 May), Cainiao said that the Chengdu centre is its sixth supermarket distribution centre. The five existing distribution centres are located in Tianjin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Guangzhou and Jinyi.
The Chengdu supermarket distribution centre will initially provide next-day grocery deliveries to Tmall Supermarket users in Chengdu and Chongqing, and will gradually expand delivery services to other regions in southwestern China.
The Tmall supermarket vertical sells groceries, pantry items and other non-perishable fast-moving-consumer goods.
Cainiao also revealed today that it plans to add another centre – which will be its seventh – in Wuhan to cover the provinces of Hubei, Henan and Hunan, as well as rural areas. When this centre is launched, Cainiao will be able to offer next-day deliveries to more than 250 cities in 25 Chinese provinces, covering a customer base of more than 100 million.
“As Chinese consumers increasingly embrace the idea of buying groceries online, Cainiao aims to give consumers a convenient and smooth logistics experience by having their orders delivered within a day or even within hours,” said Duan Zhiguo, head of supermarket logistics department at Cainiao. “Cainiao attaches great importance to the development of a strong and flexible logistics network in China, in order to support the growing demands of our consumers.”
Cainiao said that it operates an “open platform” and works with other players in the logistics industry. According to the company statement: “By partnering up with local and international logistics and delivery firms, Cainiao is able to develop a comprehensive warehouse and logistics network and provide customers with more efficient delivery services.”
