AsianFin — JD.com’s premium grocery arm, 7Fresh, is set to launch 18 new warehouse-store locations across the Beijing-Tianjin region in June, according to sources close to the company, signaling a major acceleration in its instant retail expansion strategy.

The aggressive rollout aligns with 7Fresh’s previously stated goal of achieving full coverage in the Beijing-Tianjin area by the end of the year. Industry analysts view the move as a clear sign that JD is ramping up its efforts to compete in the rapidly growing on-demand retail sector.

Unlike traditional retail outlets, warehouse-stores combine storage and sales functions, enabling faster fulfillment and more efficient last-mile delivery—a model increasingly favored in China’s fast-paced urban markets.

The June expansion is expected to significantly enhance JD’s local delivery capabilities and strengthen its position against rivals like Alibaba’s Freshippo and Meituan in the highly competitive fresh grocery and instant commerce space.