Nike and Ant Group want to improve e-commerce and sustainability in China

China’s Ant Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nike China to strengthen their cooperation and improve Nike’s e-commerce operations in the country.

The aim of the collaboration is to increase the efficiency of customer service and the sustainability performance of the brand.

Nike E-Commerce will integrate Ant’s cloud customer service solution, which provides intelligent scheduling, AI-powered employee training and AI-powered quality assurance.

The solution aims to meet the increasing demand for online customer service and offers flexible employment opportunities for freelancers, housewives, young people in smaller cities and people with physical limitations.

By making remote work easier, it also helps reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional customer service centers.

Stanley Chang, vice president of supply chain at Nike Greater China, said: “Nike firmly believes that protecting the planet also protects the future of sports.”

“We have invested in local innovation and sought solutions that integrate sustainability into every aspect of our business. With the expanded partnership, we look forward to driving further innovation for a sustainable future.”

The collaboration builds on the successful partnership that began in 2022 with the launch of the “Recycle-A-Shoe” mini-program within the Alipay app.

This initiative allows Chinese consumers to recycle worn-out Nike shoes, which are then dismantled and converted into sustainable sports courts using Nike’s Grind technology.

Participants collect virtual green energy points in the Alipay Ant Forest, supporting environmental projects such as tree planting and biodiversity protection.

As of November 2024, Nike had recycled 180,000 pairs of shoes through the program, resulting in the creation of 38 Nike Grind sports courts across China.

Sabrina Peng, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant Group, said: “A key insight from our sustainability journey is that long-term business success requires the creation of both commercial and social value.” With this shared belief, we look forward to working with Nike to achieve more sustainable Creating outcomes for communities.”

“Nike and Ant Group to Improve E-Commerce and Sustainability in China” was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a brand owned by GlobalData.

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