A Comparative Study of Pathways for Digital Transformation of Retail Enterprise Supply Chains — A Case Study of Hema Fresh and JD Convenience Stores
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A Comparative Study of Pathways for Digital Transformation of Retail Enterprise Supply Chains — A Case Study of Hema Fresh and JD Convenience Stores

Longxiang Liu 1*
1 Wuhan Business School
*Corresponding author: liulongx@gmail.com
Published on 11 November 2025
Journal Cover
AEMPS Vol.239
ISSN (Print): 2754-1177
ISSN (Online): 2754-1169
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-525-7
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-526-4
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Abstract

With the development of the retail industry and digital technologies, enterprise supply chains are facing demands for improved efficiency, faster response, and optimized user experience. This paper analyzes the application of digital intelligence and model innovation in retail supply chains, using JD Convenience Store and Hema Fresh as examples. The study found that big data-driven demand forecasting, intelligent warehousing, forward warehouse layout, and instant delivery are key means to improve efficiency and service. JD Convenience Store achieves integrated online and offline management through regional warehouses and high-frequency, small-batch replenishment, while Hema Fresh builds an agile supply chain based on forward warehouses and community instant delivery, demonstrating differentiated practices. Digital transformation can optimize inventory turnover, reduce out-of-stock rates, improve delivery efficiency, and enhance user satisfaction, but challenges remain, such as high costs, regional adaptability, and insufficient flexibility. Future retail supply chain development should focus on full-chain digitalization, enhanced flexibility and resilience, green sustainability, omni-channel integration, and personalized customization.

Keywords:

Hema Fresh, Supply Chain, JD Convenience Stores, Digitalization

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Liu,L. (2025). A Comparative Study of Pathways for Digital Transformation of Retail Enterprise Supply Chains — A Case Study of Hema Fresh and JD Convenience Stores. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,239,36-44.

References

[1]. Lee, H. L., Padmanabhan, V., & Whang, S. (1997). The bullwhip effect in supply chains. Management Science. 1997, 43 (4): 546–558.

[2]. John, T., DeWitt, W., Keebler, J. S., Min, S., Nix, N. W., Smith, C. D., & Zacharia, Z. G. (2001). Defining Supply Chain Management. Journal of Business Logistics.

[3]. Yusuf, Y. Y., Gunasekaran, A., Adeleye, E. O., & Sivayoganathan, K. J. E. J. O. O. R. (2004). Agile supply chain capabilities: Determinants of competitive objectives. European journal of operational research, 159(2), 379-392.

[4]. Alzoubi, H. M., & Yanamandra, R. (2020). Investigating the mediating role of information sharing strategy on agile supply chain. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 8(2), 273-284.

[5]. Kamble, S. S., Gunasekaran, A., & Sharma, R. (2020). Analysis of the driving and dependence power of drivers to implement Industry 4.0 in supply chain. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 149, 106804.

[6]. Choi, T. M., Wallace, S. W., & Wang, Y. (2018). Big data analytics in operations management. Production and operations management, 27(10), 1868-1883.

[7]. Waller, M. A., & Fawcett, S. E. (2013). Data science, predictive analytics, and big data: a revolution that will transform supply chain design and management. Journal of Business logistics, 34(2), 77-84.

[8]. Christopher, M., & Towill, D. (2001). An integrated model for the design of agile supply chains. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 31(4), 235-246.

[9]. Wang, Y. (2025, June 23). JD.com named to Gartner’s Global Supply Chain Top 25 for second consecutive year. JD.com Corporate Blog. https: //jdcorporateblog.com/jd-com-named-to-gartners-global-supply-chain-top-25-for-second-consecutive-year/.

[10]. JD.com. (2025, April 17). 2024 annual report. JD.com Investor Relations. https: //ir.jd.com/annual-reports.

[11]. Liu, Q. D. (2017). The essence of retail. CITIC Press.

[12]. Deng, Y., Zhang, X., Wang, T., Wang, L., Zhang, Y., Wang, X., ... & Peng, X. (2023). Alibaba realizes millions in cost savings through integrated demand forecasting, inventory management, price optimization, and product recommendations. INFORMS journal on applied analytics, 53(1), 32-46.

[13]. Alibaba Group Holding Limited. (2024). Fiscal year 2024 annual report. https: //www.alibabagroup.com/zh-HK/ir-financial-reports-financial-results.

References

[1]. Lee, H. L., Padmanabhan, V., & Whang, S. (1997). The bullwhip effect in supply chains. Management Science. 1997, 43 (4): 546–558.

[2]. John, T., DeWitt, W., Keebler, J. S., Min, S., Nix, N. W., Smith, C. D., & Zacharia, Z. G. (2001). Defining Supply Chain Management. Journal of Business Logistics.

[3]. Yusuf, Y. Y., Gunasekaran, A., Adeleye, E. O., & Sivayoganathan, K. J. E. J. O. O. R. (2004). Agile supply chain capabilities: Determinants of competitive objectives. European journal of operational research, 159(2), 379-392.

[4]. Alzoubi, H. M., & Yanamandra, R. (2020). Investigating the mediating role of information sharing strategy on agile supply chain. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 8(2), 273-284.

[5]. Kamble, S. S., Gunasekaran, A., & Sharma, R. (2020). Analysis of the driving and dependence power of drivers to implement Industry 4.0 in supply chain. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 149, 106804.

[6]. Choi, T. M., Wallace, S. W., & Wang, Y. (2018). Big data analytics in operations management. Production and operations management, 27(10), 1868-1883.

[7]. Waller, M. A., & Fawcett, S. E. (2013). Data science, predictive analytics, and big data: a revolution that will transform supply chain design and management. Journal of Business logistics, 34(2), 77-84.

[8]. Christopher, M., & Towill, D. (2001). An integrated model for the design of agile supply chains. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 31(4), 235-246.

[9]. Wang, Y. (2025, June 23). JD.com named to Gartner’s Global Supply Chain Top 25 for second consecutive year. JD.com Corporate Blog. https: //jdcorporateblog.com/jd-com-named-to-gartners-global-supply-chain-top-25-for-second-consecutive-year/.

[10]. JD.com. (2025, April 17). 2024 annual report. JD.com Investor Relations. https: //ir.jd.com/annual-reports.

[11]. Liu, Q. D. (2017). The essence of retail. CITIC Press.

[12]. Deng, Y., Zhang, X., Wang, T., Wang, L., Zhang, Y., Wang, X., ... & Peng, X. (2023). Alibaba realizes millions in cost savings through integrated demand forecasting, inventory management, price optimization, and product recommendations. INFORMS journal on applied analytics, 53(1), 32-46.

[13]. Alibaba Group Holding Limited. (2024). Fiscal year 2024 annual report. https: //www.alibabagroup.com/zh-HK/ir-financial-reports-financial-results.

Cite this article

Liu,L. (2025). A Comparative Study of Pathways for Digital Transformation of Retail Enterprise Supply Chains — A Case Study of Hema Fresh and JD Convenience Stores. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,239,36-44.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICFTBA 2025 Symposium: Data-Driven Decision Making in Business and Economics

ISBN: 978-1-80590-525-7(Print) / 978-1-80590-526-4(Online)
Editor: Lukášak Varti
Conference website: https://2025.icftba.org/Bratislava.html
Conference date: 12 December 2025
Series: Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences
Volume number: Vol.239
ISSN: 2754-1169(Print) / 2754-1177(Online)

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