China's JD.com taking preorders for Microsoft Xbox One

JD.com, China's largest online direct sales company, has had the exclusive rights to take China pre-orders for Microsoft's Xbox One gaming console through JD.com's Mobile QQ and Weixin entry points from July 28 to 30, giving it a headstart over competitors on Xbox orders and securing its positioning as the online retail platform to patronise.

"Launching Xbox One sales in Chinathrough JD.com's Weixin and Mobile QQ entry points underscores the strength of these platforms with young and sophisticated Chinese consumers," said Shuang Du, Vice President of JD.com in charge of the IT and Digital Business Unit. "Through our partnership with Tencent, Chinese consumers are increasingly able to enjoy the JD.com shopping experience directly on China's most popular mobile communications platforms. We will continue to focus on providing the most convenient channels for Chinese consumers to purchase authentic products through their mobile devices."

On July 31, the JD.com website and JD.com's exhibition booth at the ChinaJoy Expo in Shanghai will also begin taking pre-orders.

The Xbox One will be the first gaming console available for purchase through authorised sales channels in China since 2000.

As of March 31, 2014, JD.com offered approximately 40.2 million SKUs across 13 categories of products. The company operates seven fulfillment centres and 86 warehouses with an aggregate gross floor area of approximately 1.5 million square meters in 36 cities, and 1,620 delivery stations and 214 pickup stations in 495 cities across China, staffed by its own employees. The company provides same-day delivery in 43 cities under its 211 programme and next-day delivery in another 256 cities across China as of March 31, 2014.