HKTVmall founder takes a jab at JD.com for similar app design

HKTVmall founder Ricky Wong has taken a jab at the Chinese eCommerce giant JD.com for allegedly copying HKTVmall's app design. This comes as JD.com ramps up its investment in the Hong Kong eCommerce market by launching a limited-time service called “買貴就賠”, which provides reimbursements to consumers if they find JD.com's product prices more expensive than other eCommerce platforms.

Don’t miss: JD.com expands audience reach in HK in latest marketing push

According to his Facebook post, Wong compared the layout and design of the mobile applications of HKTVmall and JD.com, mentioning the difficulty distinguishing between authenticity and imitation. While a pot featured on JD.com's app appears priced lower than the same pot on HKTVmall, at ¥338 versus HK$499, Wong clarified that they belong to distinct brands. Despite similarities in appearance, the pot is not a Swiss Diamond product.

Meanwhile, Wong said some friends asked him if the JD.com’ app is fake. “It's quite funny that JD.com’s app closely resembles HKTVmall, with even the design appearing strikingly similar. “Since that's the case, why does your '買貴就賠' initiative only include ParknShop, Wellcome, Broadway, and Fortress? Why doesn't it include HKTVmall? Is it because you look down on us, or is it because our prices are more competitive?” he said.

His Facebook post has received over 1,200 likes, 130 comments, and 110 shares, a check by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE saw. Some netizens said they thought HKTVmall had made Renminbi payment available at first glance, while others criticised JD.com for lazily copying the app's slogan.

In response, JD.com told local media such as Yahoo that it thanked Wong for his attention, saying that while it fully understands Wong's concerns about JD.com's expansion into the Hong Kong market, its coming to Hong Kong is not about competing with anyone, but about providing genuine benefits to every Hong Kong resident.

JD.com added that its operational model enables it to offer lower prices and better services, saying, "Since Wong has taken the lead, we are more than happy to compare who provides better customer service."

JD.com also announced the launch of "Free doorstep delivery for all categories over HK$188" (全類別滿 188 蚊免運費送上門) and added that from now until the end of June, customers purchasing JD.com's self-operated home appliances will receive free doorstep installation. “We also look forward to Wong joining us in taking practical actions to seek welfare for the citizens, making the consumer market in Hong Kong more prosperous and thriving," it said.

During the online annual results meeting of HKTVmall's parent company HKTV last Thursday (27 March), Wong said to counter competition from mainland platforms, beginning 1 April, all order self-pick-up fee amounts will be waived. Customers can pick up any purchased items for free at HKTVmall O2O stores or designated pickup points.

In response to the alleged app design copying incident, Wong said that when he used to copy homework, he always selected the top-performing assignment. "I believe that copying is definitely not acceptable," he said, adding that he will leave the final judgment to the Hong Kong consumers.

Following HKTV's financial results announcement, JD.com took to its Facebook page to make jabs at HKTVmall, saying that HKTVmall's gross profit margin surpasses 25% and congratulating it on its "significant profits." JD.com added that its self-operated gross profit margin stands at around 10% and asked its followers about which platform they believe to be more profitable. However, the post has sparked negative reactions from netizens, criticising JD.com for not addressing the plagiarism controversy directly and accusing them of continuing to target its competitors in a "low-class" manner.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to HKTVmall and JD.com for a statement respectively. 

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