FDBusiness.com

Pladis, the fast-growing global biscuit and confectionery company, and JD.com, China’s largest retailer – online or offline, are joining forces to bring a new range of snack foods imported from Europe, the US, Asia, the Middle East and Africa directly to Chinese consumers. Pladis offers consumer treats including chocolates, biscuits, sweets, cakes and crackers.

Brands under the pladis umbrella include the global high-end chocolate Godiva from Belgium, McVitie’s biscuits with hundreds of years of heritage in Europe, snack brand Ulker from Turkey and the popular fruit crackers Go Ahead, among many others.

The two companies are forming a strategic partnership that includes sales, product development and marketing. As part of the agreement, JD.com will offer its online customers early access to new snacks and debut new treats exclusively in China. In addition, JD .com will launch special campaigns to boost sales and brand awareness of pladis products and the two companies will collaborate to develop new products tailored to the tastes of Chinese consumers.

“We are excited to establish the strategic partnership with JD.com, a trusted e-commerce platform in China,” says Widianto Juwono, Greater China/South East Asia/Australia NZ managing director at pladis. “We believe the partnership will provide a wide selection of snacks to Chinese consumers, including consumer favourites like McVitie’s chocolate digestives and Go Ahead Yogurt Break.”

“Chinese consumers are developing an ever-growing appetite for imported foods,” says Carol Fung, president of JD.com Fast-Moving Consumer Goods. “JD.com is delighted to help consumers explore a whole new range of exciting international products to satisfy their desire for the best snacks and treats.”