BEIJING: JD.com Inc on Thursday said it has reached a deal to sell goods through the popular browser, search engine and app store of Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd, as China’s second-biggest e-commerce firm seeks new ways of attracting users.
JD said it will share data with Qihoo 360 in a similar vein to partnerships with Tencent Holding Ltd, Baidu Inc and news feed app Toutiao, as it broadens sales channels to compete with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
Unlike its bigger rival, JD has invested heavily in storage and logistics leaving it struggling for profitability, adding importance to original means of winning customers.
JD partnered social media giant Tencent three years ago and revealed at the end of 2016 that success of the partnership in drawing users spurred later deals, such as with search engine provider Baidu earlier this month. Accelerating revenue growth has pushed its shares up 66 per cent this year.
On a quarterly basis, 25 to 35 per cent of new users come from its Tencent partnership, JD said this month — a number that rises to about 50 per cent during the annual “Singles’ Day” sale.
JD said the latest deal will see goods from its e-commerce site advertised on Qihoo apps, and allow users to make purchases without leaving the apps. The arrangement is similar to previous deals where users can purchase goods through Tencent’s WeChat app and Baidu’s search, forum and mapping apps.
Qihoo did not respond to a request for comment. — Reuters
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