Weekly E-Commerce Roundup: Tencent Posts Q2 Revenue of RMB 204.785 Billion; Pinduoduo Launches "Fastest Next-Day Delivery" to Enter Instant Retail Space

【Ebrun Original】Tencent posts Q2 revenue of RMB 204.785 billion; Pinduoduo launches "Fastest Next-Day Delivery" to enter the instant retail space; Dong Yuhui establishes a new company; Chef Fei removes the "King of Stir-Fried Pork Nationwide" title.

Major Corporations & Key Events

ByteDance

1. ByteDance establishes new AI Data and Security department, operating in parallel with Seed, Flow, Douyin and other units

According to multiple independent sources, ByteDance has recently set up a new first-tier department, AI Data and Security, which operates alongside its existing first-tier business units including Seed, Flow, and Douyin. The department is headed by Adam Wang (Wang Yinglei). This marks another first-tier department ByteDance has launched around its AI business, following the establishment of the two AI-focused first-tier units Seed and Flow at the end of 2023. Wang previously served as Head of Platform Responsibility and Head of Live Streaming for TikTok. "The live streaming business Wang oversaw was once one of TikTok's primary revenue drivers, and he has a proven track record of outstanding performance within ByteDance," a source close to the company said. (Source: 36Kr)

2. Doubao PR head responds: Hotel commission is not advertising fee and has no connection to recommendation ranking

On August 11, reports emerged that Douyin Life Services has implemented an independent fee structure for hotel orders generated through the specific "Doubao" channel, with a 11.4% software service fee plus a 0.6% payment processing fee, bringing the total rate to 12%. This was followed by online discussions and claims that "Doubao charges fees for hotel recommendations" and questioning whether "the fee constitutes an advertising charge." In response, Liu Xing, head of public relations for Doubao, stated: "Doubao's life services business does not currently offer paid promotion, nor does it charge advertising fees for hotel recommendations. Merchants cannot influence recommendations or rankings through payment, and only pay a channel service fee after an order is completed." It is understood that the above fee rate only applies to hotel orders coming through the Doubao channel, and is not a unified commission rate for all categories of Doubao's life services business. Merchants can check relevant rules on the Douyin Laike backend, and can also apply to opt out of the Doubao channel in accordance with existing procedures. (Source: STCN)

3. Hongguo Short Drama: 12,347 AI-generated dramas blocked and removed in July

Hongguo Short Drama released an announcement on cracking down on non-compliant AI-generated dramas: In July 2026, a total of 12,347 AI dramas that violated platform governance regulations were blocked and removed. Most of these works were intercepted during the review stage before going live, while a portion was removed during follow-up content checks. In addition, the platform blocked and removed 82 AI dramas containing negative content related to children in July.

Alibaba

1. Taobao Flash Sale tests in-home dining project in Shanghai and Hangzhou

The "Home Feast" in-home dining project under Taobao Flash Sale launched its second round of gray-box testing in Shanghai and Hangzhou in early August. It is reported that the project has so far partnered with 12 catering brands, covering more than 20 stores. Prior to this, "Home Feast" conducted its first round of external testing in Chengdu and Shenzhen. Sources close to the project said "Home Feast" mainly targets scenarios such as family banquets and business dinners, and is not a simple upgrade of traditional takeout services. Different from the instant delivery model, users are required to place orders at least one day in advance. The dishes are freshly prepared by partner restaurants, and then delivered via customized packaging and constant-temperature transportation. Taobao Flash Sale aims to explore an in-home service model for high-end catering brands through this initiative.

2. Tmall launches new AI agent product "AI Business Steward · New Merchant Version" to boost new merchants' operational efficiency by over 70%

Recently, Tmall fully rolled out its e-commerce operation AI agent product "AI Business Steward · New Merchant Version". The product is fully available to all new merchants that have joined Tmall within the past year. Based on the "all-new AI Business Steward", the new merchant version provides customized operation agents for new brands, covering core operational links for new stores including content production, product listing, traffic promotion, and operation analysis. Data shows that with AI assistance, new merchants' operational efficiency has improved by more than 70%.

The AI Business Steward has seen frequent updates this year: In late March, the all-new AI Business Steward entered internal testing, with a large number of mature brands starting to use the agent for daily operations; in June, the new merchant version was piloted among a group of new merchants, allowing AI to be involved in operations from the initial stage of store opening, before being fully launched recently.

3. Three food delivery platforms to be the first to implement "red light stop table" in Beijing

According to the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, the second consultative dialogue on "moving beyond cutthroat competition to responsible development" for the platform economy was held on August 13, 2026. Focused on algorithm optimization for delivery riders, the dialogue brought together three platforms — Meituan, Taobao Flash Sale, and JD Waimai — to co-govern and discuss improvements with riders, while also inviting experts, scholars and deputies to the National People's Congress to offer suggestions. The multi-stakeholder consultation aims to optimize measures to further protect the legitimate rights and interests of delivery riders and safeguard urban traffic safety order.

Tencent

1. Tencent releases Q2 2026 financial report: Steady revenue growth, continued increase in AI investment

On August 12, Tencent Holdings released its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, with solid overall performance growth. The report showed that the company's quarterly revenue reached RMB 204.785 billion, up 11% year-on-year; net profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 56.022 billion, a slight year-on-year increase of 0.7%. Non-IFRS net profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 68.42 billion, up 9% year-on-year, with continuous optimization of the profit structure.

Tencent's marketing services revenue saw strong growth this quarter, rising 22% year-on-year. Channels Account traffic and monetization efficiency continued to improve, becoming the core growth driver for the advertising segment. Monthly active users of Weixin and WeChat reached 1.44 billion, consolidating its solid ecosystem foundation. During the quarter, the company significantly ramped up its AI layout, with capital expenditure increasing sharply year-on-year. Leveraging its Hunyuan AI model to empower advertising, cloud services and enterprise services, Tencent is driving quality and efficiency improvements in its core businesses and consolidating its long-term development foundation.

2. Tencent launches special recruitment program for top AI product talents

On August 13, Tencent announced the launch of a special recruitment program for top AI product talents, the "AI Product Manager Trainee" program. The program will fully open up Tencent's AI-native products including the Hunyuan large model and WorkBuddy, as well as mature vertical scenarios such as gaming, social networking, finance and cloud services, for graduates from the classes of 2026 and 2027 to choose from. According to the introduction, this recruitment has no restrictions on educational background or major, and focuses on candidates' actual AI capabilities. It prioritizes candidates with product architecture design capabilities, sensitivity to cutting-edge AI technologies, product aesthetics, experience in launching product functions from 0 to 1, and a sense of accountability for results. Personal works and project outcomes are taken as important references in the recruitment process, with a focus on assessing candidates' thinking ability, practical ability, business judgment and collaboration skills. (Source: Qingdao News Network)

JD.com

1. JD.com reports Q2 Non-GAAP net profit of RMB 8.9 billion, up 20.3% year-on-year

JD.com disclosed its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2026. In the second quarter, JD.com's revenue reached RMB 346.4 billion; service revenue was RMB 79.3 billion, accounting for 22.9% of total revenue, up from the previous period. Among service revenue, revenue from home-related scenarios grew 69.6% year-on-year. Non-GAAP net profit attributable to common shareholders for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB 8.9 billion, up 20.3% year-on-year. In the first half of 2026, JD.com's total revenue reached RMB 662.1 billion, with service revenue up 12.9% year-on-year; R&D investment across the JD ecosystem increased 53% year-on-year.

2. JD Home Appliances and Home Furnishings establishes offline business unit to unify and integrate omnichannel offline resources

JD.com's Home Appliances and Home Furnishings Business Group recently completed a round of organizational structure and business adjustments, establishing an offline business unit. Following the adjustment, JD Five Star Appliances and the Home Appliances and Home Furnishings Omnichannel Business Department are placed under the unified management of this new department. The new department will centrally integrate the offline store system and omnichannel business links, and coordinate the operation of offline formats and online-offline collaboration. This adjustment represents a centralized consolidation of authority and responsibility for JD's offline channels in the home appliances and home furnishings sector.

It is understood that the new offline business unit will rely on core capabilities such as supply chain, digitalization and logistics fulfillment to integrate online and offline traffic, formats and operation systems. Internally, it will unify the management standards for offline stores nationwide; externally, it will provide brands with omnichannel retail solutions, driving the standardized and large-scale iteration of offline formats for home appliances and home furnishings.

3. JD Discount Supermarket expands to three more cities, first store in Yancheng to open on September 25

JD Discount Supermarket is accelerating its national expansion, with first stores set to open in three new cities: Yancheng in Jiangsu Province, Yanjiao and Hengshui in Hebei Province. The Yancheng store is scheduled to officially open on September 25, located at the New Era Commercial Plaza in Tinghu District; the Yanjiao store is located at Yanfeng Commercial Plaza, and the Hengshui store will be in Yuel City · Outlets, with opening dates for the latter two stores yet to be announced. Since launching its first store in Zhuozhou in August 2025, JD Discount Supermarket has been expanding steadily with its hard discount model featuring large store formats, full category coverage and high cost-effectiveness. Previously, the first store in Huainan attracted over 190,000 customer visits in its first three days of operation. The expansion into these three cities will help JD further integrate its supply chains in North and East China, and enhance its regional coverage capabilities.

Meituan

1. Meituan's AI product for hotel merchants covers over 140,000 hotel merchants nationwide

Meituan recently upgraded its AI product for hotel merchants — Jibai AI · Lite Version — which has been launched simultaneously on its mobile app and PC end. The tool now covers more than 140,000 hotel merchants across the country, focusing on small and medium-sized hotel operators. It provides them with free services including data broadcasting, operation diagnosis, hot industry news, and operational efficiency improvement, helping merchants move faster from "viewing data" to "making decisions".

2. Meituan's "Happy Monkey" hard discount supermarket opens 3 stores in Beijing and Tianjin consecutively

Meituan's self-operated community supermarket "Happy Monkey" simultaneously opened three new stores in Beijing and Tianjin. A visit to the first store in Daxing District found that the store operates on a hard discount model, with a fried chicken priced at RMB 19.9. This marks Meituan's accelerated expansion into offline community supermarket formats beyond its instant retail business, entering the community retail market with a focus on extreme cost-effectiveness.

Pinduoduo

1. Pinduoduo launches "Fastest Next-Day Delivery" service, directly entering the core market of Meituan and JD.com

On August 10, a first-tier core entry for "Fastest Next-Day Delivery" quietly appeared on the homepage of the Pinduoduo app, covering high-frequency, essential categories such as fresh produce and daily necessities. Unlike the previous setup where the "next-day delivery" label was dynamically displayed by algorithms only on product detail pages and search results, Pinduoduo has now elevated the service to a core navigation position on its homepage, alongside its "10 Billion Subsidy" program. This seemingly minor product adjustment signifies that Pinduoduo has officially launched a direct offensive into the core of the instant retail market, bringing another heavyweight player to the country's trillion-yuan instant retail track. (Source: Interface News)

Xiaohongshu

1. Xiaohongshu's overseas e-commerce platform Redshop officially launches

It is reported that Xiaohongshu's cross-border e-commerce project Redshop was officially launched in July 2026, and has restarted targeted invitations for merchants. Currently, the project covers 9 core markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong China and Macau China, adopting an asset-light direct mail model featuring "zero pre-warehousing, AI-powered full-link translation, low commission, and first-month traffic support". After a seller receives an order, the platform will arrange for designated logistics providers to pick up the goods from the seller's location, and deliver the goods directly to overseas consumers via air freight, eliminating the need for sellers to stock up in advance or operate overseas warehouses. Meanwhile, product information and customer service communications will be automatically translated by AI.

The US direct mail service has been opened first, and markets including the UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia will be opened gradually. The first batch of invited merchants are mainly native Xiaohongshu stores, such as a seller with 16,000 followers that has sold a cumulative total of 39,000 tablet protective cases.

2. Xiaohongshu developing "AI shopping guide" feature

It is learned that Xiaohongshu is developing an "AI shopping guide" feature, which relies on conversational interaction to directly push product cards and attach order placement links in Q&A scenarios. The project is led by Daoxuan. Xiaohongshu has already rolled out some AI functions in its e-commerce business. For example, in store reputation sections, AI-generated summaries of store reputation information are available for consumers' reference.

Cross-Border E-Commerce

1. Amazon Global Selling launches "North China Industrial Belt Joint Empowerment Program"

Recently, Amazon Global Selling launched the "North China Industrial Belt Joint Empowerment Program". Over the next two years, Amazon Global Selling will focus on 10 key industrial belts including Qingdao wigs, Jining construction machinery, Beijing smart hardware, Tianjin Wuqing carpets, and Handan fasteners, aiming to incubate 500 cross-border brand sellers and cultivate more than 50 benchmark new sellers with annual revenue of over RMB 100 million. The program will advance along three directions: identifying and cultivating benchmark sellers in each industrial belt to drive large-scale cross-border expansion through a "leader driving cluster" model; providing categorized support for industrial goods and consumer goods industrial belts to promote dual-track development of B2B upgrading and branding for cross-border e-commerce in North China; and working with local governments and industry associations across various cities and provinces in North China, leveraging local characteristic advantages to accelerate the international expansion of local industrial belts.

2. Amazon launches free "Product Selection Simulator"

Amazon Opportunity Explorer has launched a new "Product Selection Simulator", which is currently available for free to sellers on the US site and five European sites (the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain). Sellers can access the tool page through the seller platform via "Products → Research Products → Opportunity Explorer". After entering the marketplace, product name, category, target selling price and key product features, an analysis report will be generated.

3. JD Logistics launches cross-border small parcel direct line service from Vietnam to the US

JD Logistics recently launched a cross-border small parcel direct line service from Vietnam to the US, with local first-mile pickup available in core Vietnamese cities including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh and Haiphong. The service provides cross-border merchants with end-to-end fulfillment services including export customs clearance, air freight trunk transportation, and last-mile delivery. In addition to this cross-border direct line, JD Logistics has also opened a new border warehouse in Guangxi, and upgraded its large-item delivery and installation integrated services in multiple Southeast Asian countries, supporting high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce in Southeast Asia.

4. Thousands of UK retailers have joined SHEIN's open platform

According to UK media reports, since its founding in 2012, SHEIN has grown into a fashion and lifestyle ecosystem platform serving consumers in approximately 160 countries worldwide. In 2024, its third-party marketplace business expanded from the US to Europe, and now thousands of UK retailers are reaching consumers across Europe through the platform.

Other Notable News

1. J&T Express fined RMB 70,000

Recently, J&T Express Co., Ltd. was fined RMB 70,000 by the State Post Bureau for failing to fulfill its unified management responsibility for security protection in accordance with regulations. The facts of the violation show that since the beginning of this year, multiple J&T Express-related enterprises have committed violations such as failing to take measures to eliminate potential accident hazards at their processing facilities. Some J&T Express-related enterprises have experienced work safety accidents during production operations, and J&T Express Co., Ltd. failed to strictly supervise relevant affiliated enterprises to implement safety risk control measures and conduct in-depth investigation and rectification of potential accident hazards. The company was established in September 2007, with Wu Rongmei as its legal representative and a registered capital of RMB 100 million. It is wholly owned by Shanghai Yishang Industrial Co., Ltd. (Source: China Overseas Chinese Network)

2. Yu Donglai releases statement responding to closure of Pangdonglai Xuchang Life Plaza

On August 9, Yu Donglai, founder of Pangdonglai, released a statement responding to the closure of the Pangdonglai Xuchang Life Plaza. "The mistakes caused by unprofessional work are immeasurable in monetary terms. Around 2015, regarding the Xuchang Life Plaza, due to the work mistakes of the staff in charge who did not follow company regulations, the lease contracts were not signed in a unified manner. This eventually led to the rent for some individual tenants rising to an unimaginable level, completely deviating from fairness. This left the company in a dilemma: we could not withdraw as many contracts had already been signed, but continuing operations also affected our morale. In fact, the proportion of these tenants is not very large, but regardless of the amount of money involved, the spirit of fairness and justice is our bottom line, and this has been a weight on my mind for so many years," Yu Donglai said. "So when the lease expires, although the Life Plaza generates annual sales of RMB 2 billion and annual profit of more than RMB 100 million, belief and happiness always come first. For any work, professionalism is the most fundamental guarantee of excellence. Happiness is the prerequisite for everything." Previously, Yu Donglai announced during a live broadcast that the Pangdonglai Xuchang Life Plaza will officially close in December 2026. (Source: Interface News)

3. Chef Fei removes "King of Stir-Fried Pork Nationwide" title

After facing online questioning, Chef Fei has removed the "King of Stir-Fried Pork Nationwide" slogan from its stores. On August 10, Chef Fei responded that in response to new regulations, all stores are gradually updating their promotional materials, and the slogan will be changed to "Selected Black Pork · Cooked by Professional Chefs", with the update expected to be completed by the end of August. According to earlier reports, at the end of July, the China Cuisine Association announced that it would comprehensively clean up and revoke all previously awarded titles such as "Master", "Famous Chef" and "Gourmet Landmark City", with the validity of relevant certificates and promotional endorsements immediately terminated. Netizens later found that Chef Fei had used the "King of Stir-Fried Pork Nationwide" title for nearly 6 years, which was won through participating photos and videos in an online voting competition held by the China Cuisine Association. Related topics about Chef Fei have since trended multiple times on social media. (Source: The Paper)

4. East Buy accelerates rollout of vending machines, already deployed in nearly 30 New Oriental campuses

Since launching its vending machine business in March this year, East Buy has deployed more than 100 machines across nearly 30 New Oriental campuses nationwide, mainly located in high-footfall areas such as teaching building lobbies, providing "order online, pick up directly" services. Best-selling products include beverages such as mineral water and oolong tea, as well as small-packaged snacks such as potato chips and bread. In addition, the business has expanded to government and enterprise scenarios such as China Minsheng Bank, with plans to enter office buildings and gyms.

5. Dong Yuhui establishes new company "Heyu Chunshi" to enter agricultural product wholesale

According to information from Tianyancha, Heyu Chunshi (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. was established on August 9, with a registered capital of RMB 10 million, and Fang Chenglin as its legal representative. Its business scope covers the wholesale of fresh meat, aquatic products, fruits, edible agricultural products, pet food and other products. The company is 100% owned by Zisanxing (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., which is wholly owned by Dong Yuhui. This move marks another addition to Dong Yuhui's business landscape, as he officially enters the agricultural product supply chain sector.

6. Li-Ning denies signing French football star Kylian Mbappé

On August 12, reports emerged that French football star Kylian Mbappé would sign a deal with Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning. According to the rumors, Mbappé would invest to hold relevant shares, while Li-Ning would be responsible for building an independent personal brand centered on Mbappé. In response, Li-Ning stated: "Regarding recent online rumors that our company has signed a well-known football player, the content is not true. Li-Ning is not involved and has no plans to proceed with any related cooperation. Thank you for your attention to the Li-Ning brand." (Source: National Business Daily)

7. Chayan Yuese's sub-brand "Xiaoshenxian Teahouse" shuts down all stores

Chayan Yuese's sub-brand "Xiaoshenxian Teahouse", a new Chinese-style teahouse concept, closed its last store in Changsha on July 31, officially exiting the market. Founded in May 2022 and positioned as a "slow Chinese teahouse", the brand operated more than 20 stores at its peak, covering cities including Changsha and Wuhan. The business faced continued pressure due to high rents for its large store format, low table turnover rate, and limited consumption frequency. Chayan Yuese officially confirmed that all stores have been closed with no plans for a comeback. Its brand portfolio now only includes the main brand and three other sub-brands.

8. Tmall becomes ALO's exclusive e-commerce platform in China, official flagship store opens for pre-sale

Trendy sportswear brand ALO recently officially entered Tmall, with its official flagship store opening for pre-sale on August 10 and fully launching on August 12. As ALO's exclusive official e-commerce partner in China, Tmall will offer synchronized new product launches with the brand's global release schedule. The first batch of products on sale includes celebrity-endorsed collections and multiple popular items such as the ALO SUNSET retro training shoes, providing domestic consumers with an official direct channel to purchase authentic products.

9. Starbucks China denies canceling 14-month salary to cut costs

Recently, rumors circulated that Starbucks China has launched layoffs and measures to reduce labor costs, such as canceling the 14-month salary, revising employee contracts, changing most employees except store managers to part-time contracts, and canceling some paid leave. After verification from multiple sources, Starbucks China has not canceled the 14-month salary, revised employee contracts, or canceled any paid leave. (Source: 21st Century Business Herald)