SHANGHAI - Chinese e-commerce retailer JD.com topped market estimates for quarterly revenue on May 13 in a sign of steady demand, even as US tariffs and prolonged economic weakness weighed on consumer sentiment.

Consumer demand in China has faced a series of hurdles in recent years, with a prolonged property sector crisis and high unemployment rates never allowing for a full recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But e-commerce players such as JD.com and Alibaba, which reports quarterly results on May 15, have resorted to slapping heavy discounts and cutting product prices to lure shoppers, while also leaning on government subsidies to drive consumption.

That has helped JD.com, a major retailer of home appliances in China, even as consumer sentiment took a hit from US-China trade tensions. China’s retail sales growth also quickened in January and February.

JD.com reported total revenue of 301.08 billion yuan (S$55 billion) for the quarter ended March 31, up 15.8 per cent from a year earlier. Analysts’ estimate was 289.22 billion yuan, according to data compiled by LSEG.

JD.com’s US-listed shares were up nearly 5 per cent in premarket trading.

The coming shopping festival, dubbed as 618 as it falls on June 18, will be a barometer to gauge to what extent consumer demand in the country has recovered. The online shopping event, initiated by JD.com, is becoming longer and longer. This year, Taobao already started the 618 pre-sale on May 13, while JD.com, whose official start date of 618 is May 31, announced an event called the “Heartbeat Shopping Festival” which began on May 13.

Mr Jacob Cooke, CEO of e-commerce consultancy WPIC Marketing + Technologies, said he expects sales growth during this year’s 618.

“China’s consumer confidence has shown greenshoots in 2025, with healthy retail growth the last few months and strong travel numbers on May Day and the Qingming Festival,” he said.

On May 13, the State Administration for Market Regulation, China’s top market regulator, said it has summoned e-commerce platforms such as JD.com, Meituan, and Alibaba’s Ele.me and requested they abide by laws and regulations and compete fairly and in an orderly manner.

Food delivery in China is dominated by Meituan and Ele.me, but JD.com’s high-profile entry into the field in February has intensified the competition. REUTERS

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