1. AliExpress Signs Agreements with Three Major Overseas Warehousing Giants

On August 9, it was reported that AliExpress, a cross-border e-commerce platform under Alibaba and one of the "Four Little Dragons" of Chinese e-commerce, has reached cooperation agreements with three leading overseas warehousing giants: Winit, Cangaroo, and Meiyou. Participating merchants will benefit from more convenient overseas warehousing services and direct access to billion-dollar subsidies. Additionally, Winit, Cangaroo, and Meiyou are offering significant warehousing discounts to AliExpress merchants. These merchants will enjoy exclusive pricing for different regions in the U.S., UK, and Germany, as well as worry-free pan-European fulfillment. The warehouses will also assign dedicated personnel to manage the logistics process.

Source: 36Kr

2. SF Airlines Launches New International Cargo Route

On August 9, SF Airlines launched a new international cargo route with a B767-300 freighter departing from Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Xinjiang, heading to Budapest, Hungary. This marks the official opening of the "Urumqi=Budapest" international cargo route, which is SF Airlines' first European cargo route from Xinjiang.

The "Urumqi=Budapest" route will be operated by a wide-body freighter with a load capacity of approximately 50 tons, with 1-2 flights planned per week. The route primarily serves cross-border e-commerce express deliveries, the export of Xinjiang's specialty agricultural products, and the import of specialty products from Hungary and other European countries. The launch of this route will inject new vitality into Sino-European trade exchanges, support the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt's core area, and promote the prosperity of cross-border trade and the international trade logistics network.

Source: Fengcai Yiyi

3. Lecang Logistics Issues Profit Warning

On August 9, Lecang Logistics issued a profit warning, announcing that the group expects to achieve a profit of approximately RMB 10 million to RMB 15 million for the period ending June 30, 2024, which represents an 86% to 90% decrease compared to the RMB 105 million profit for the six months ending June 30, 2023.

The announcement attributed the profit decline primarily to a reduction in revenue from ship leasing services, one of the group’s main businesses, which decreased from RMB 152 million for the six months ending June 30, 2023, to approximately RMB 38 million to RMB 43 million for the current period. The leasing rates the group charges are influenced by overall market rates and demand at the time of contract signing, resulting in frequent fluctuations.

Source: Zhitong Finance

4. JD Logistics Upgrades Overseas Direct Mail Services

On August 9, JD Logistics announced upgrades to its "Cross-Border Direct Purchase" and "Personal Item Direct Mail" services, with a reduction in delivery fees and an expanded service coverage area, now reaching 14 cities in 10 countries. These enhancements aim to significantly improve the cross-border logistics experience for both cross-border brand merchants and individual consumers.

In terms of price reductions, the "Cross-Border Direct Purchase" and "Personal Item Direct Mail" services in Tokyo, Japan, offer a maximum reduction of 38% for the first kilogram, while customers in Hong Kong, China, can enjoy up to 60% off on additional weight charges. Other cities globally covered by these services will also benefit from varying levels of discounted rates. For example, in New York, USA, after a 34% reduction for the first kilogram and a 23% reduction for additional weight, a 2kg direct mail package can save $3.41 (approximately RMB 24.6) per order. In terms of service coverage, five new cities in five additional countries have been added to the existing service network.

Source: JD Logistics International

5. DHL Launches PartnerSHIP Program for Small Businesses

On August 9, DHL announced the launch of the PartnerSHIP program, aimed at providing U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with convenient resources and support to help them enter and grow in global markets. The program is open to SMEs free of charge, offering a range of benefits, including promotional shipping codes and discounts, simplified shipping solutions such as the MyDHL+ platform, Global Trade Services (MyGTS) for guidance on international shipping regulations, and the GoGreen Plus program to reduce carbon emissions related to shipping. Additionally, SMEs can access e-commerce guidance, informative webinars and events, and dedicated support from certified international experts.

Source: DHL

6. Cainiao Launches Cross-Border Clothing Line

On August 9, Cainiao International Express officially launched a cross-border clothing line specifically for the apparel category. By optimizing various aspects of the entire supply chain—such as reducing volumetric weight charges and increasing the ratio of heavy goods—Cainiao aims to further reduce costs, lower logistics fulfillment fees per package, and shorten inventory cycles for merchants, all while ensuring timely delivery. The line also offers full tracking of goods, enhancing supply chain transparency and management efficiency. Currently, Cainiao's cross-border clothing line covers several countries, including the U.S., UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Brazil. It plans to expand to more countries and regions in the future. Merchants can apply for discounts based on categories and order volumes to enjoy favorable rates. 

Source: Cainiao International

7. Temu Attempts to Register Trademark in Indonesian Market Three Times

On August 9, it was reported that Temu has made three attempts to register a trademark to enter the Indonesian market but has failed each time due to the name being already in use. Fiki Satari, from Indonesia's Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop UKM), noted that since September 7, 2022, Temu has attempted to register its brand three times but has encountered name conflicts each time. Fiki has urged the government to take measures to protect local small and medium enterprises from the impact of foreign e-commerce platforms like Temu. 

Source: Chuhai Network

8. Shopify's Second Quarter Revenue Grows by 21% YoY

On August 9, Shopify released its second-quarter earnings report. During the reporting period, Shopify's Q2 revenue reached $2.05 billion, marking a 21% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations of $2.01 billion. Adjusted earnings per share for Q2 were $0.26, up by $0.14, beating market expectations of $0.20. Adjusted gross profit for Q2 was $1.05 billion, representing a 25% year-over-year growth, also exceeding market expectations of $1.03 billion. 

Source: Shopify

9. Wildberries to Increase Basic Logistics Tariffs

On August 9, Russian e-commerce platform Wildberries announced that it would increase the basic logistics tariffs for "boxes" and "single pallets" starting August 14. The new tariff standard will be set at 33 rubles per liter, with an additional 8 rubles per extra liter, compared to the previous 30 rubles per liter and 7 rubles per extra liter. This adjustment will affect all warehouses and sorting centers and will apply to goods shipped on or after August 14, as well as goods in warehouses without fixed tariffs. Wildberries emphasized that reverse logistics costs will remain unchanged. This tariff adjustment may impact sellers' operating costs, and sellers are advised to plan ahead and adjust their logistics strategies accordingly.

Source: Wildberries

10. French E-Commerce Platform Fnac&Darty Opens to Chinese Sellers

On August 9, it was reported that the French platform Fnac&Darty plans to host an official recruitment event in mid-August to attract Chinese sellers. Fnac and Darty, founded in 1954 and 1957 respectively, have a long history. In 2016, the two companies merged to form the Fnac Darty Group. Today, their online platform boasts 266 million store visits and nearly 45 million monthly clicks, making it the second-largest e-commerce platform in France and a leader in omni-channel distribution in Europe, with operations spanning multiple countries.

Source: Chuhai Network

11. Wuhan Optics Valley Aviation Super Logistics Center Officially Launched

On August 9, the Wuhan Optics Valley Aviation Super Logistics Center was officially inaugurated and put into operation. The first batch of 7.3 tons of cross-border e-commerce goods was exported through the Optics Valley Cargo Station and Huahu Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines and Kuwait International Airport. This project opens a channel for Optics Valley, turning the "virtual port" into reality, and creating an "aerial free trade corridor" for the region's export-oriented enterprises. Companies can now complete the entire air freight import and export process at their "doorstep," significantly shortening cargo transfer cycles and reducing import and export operating costs. Enterprises can deliver goods to the Optics Valley Cargo Station based on their production plans, complete customs declarations, reduce inventory turnover time, and retrieve imported goods at any time, truly achieving "zero-gap" cargo turnover.

Source: Air Cargo News Flash

12. South Korean Government Shortens E-commerce Settlement Period to 40 Days

On August 9, the South Korean government announced that it would shorten the settlement period for e-commerce platforms from 60 days to 40 days to prevent small sellers from facing cash flow shortages. The government also stated that it would strengthen oversight of the e-commerce industry and payment gateways. Additionally, the South Korean government has required e-commerce platforms to manage their funds appropriately to prevent platforms from extending settlement periods to improve cash flow. Some e-commerce companies, such as Naver and G-Market, have already implemented a sales revenue escrow system to achieve this goal.

Source: Yonhap News Agency