JD.com Accuses Rivals of Pressuring Couriers Amid Food Delivery Expansion

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has accused rival platforms of applying anti-competitive pressure on food delivery couriers, urging them not to work with JD Takeaway. The claims were made in a social media post published Monday on JD.com’s official Weixin account, highlighting mounting tensions as JD expands into China’s fiercely competitive food delivery market.

JD Takeaway, launched in February, has been onboarding restaurants under a "zero commission all year" model, challenging market leaders like Meituan and Alibaba-owned Ele.me. While JD.com did not name specific competitors, it stated that some couriers are being coerced into avoiding its platform, forcing them to choose between employers.

In response, JD.com pledged to protect couriers who face repercussions from other platforms, ensuring they continue receiving orders and income. The company also committed to doubling its full-time courier hiring target from 50,000 to 100,000 within three months. Notably, JD.com is the first major platform in China to offer full-time riders direct labor contracts, granting access to full insurance benefits.

While Meituan did not comment directly on JD.com’s allegations, it responded on its own Weixin account by dismissing a claim from one of its drivers, who alleged he had been banned for accepting JD Takeaway orders, calling the accusation “pure fabrication.” Ele.me has yet to respond to the issue.

JD.com's entry has disrupted the low-margin food delivery market, where scale is crucial for profitability. As competition intensifies, JD’s strategy of prioritizing rider welfare and commission-free onboarding could pressure existing players to adapt. JD.com has not released further details on the claims or its next steps.