JD.com has tried, and again failed, in creating an online platform for used goods, as the e-commerce giant shutters yet another short-lived secondhand trading site, Caixin reports. Kumai, a little-known used-goods marketplace under JD.com, has notified users that it will be closing shop in two months, due to a “business model transition,” marking the end of JD’s four-month attempt to set up a competitor to Xianyu, the largest secondhand platform in China, owned by Alibaba. The eminent closure of Kumai was evidenced by the paltry number of items for sale on the site as of late. In many categories, only around 200 or so products are being sold. Some listings have been transferred to another second hand market for quality used goods, 2.jd.com. It was unclear if the company plans to push 2.jd.com as a replacement for Kumai. The Kumai closure will mark a second false start by China’s online retail giant to establish a used goods platform.
Categories