AI technology boosts online sales during China's annual ‘618’ shopping festival

China’s annual '618' shopping festival highlighted AI as a key driver of online sales growth. JD.com’s AI agent JoyInside powered nearly 100 new products, with AI home appliance and living product transactions rising 200% in the first 52 hours compared to a month earlier. The platform’s JoyStreamer digital avatar livestreaming solution expanded to over 80,000 merchants, generating 240 million yuan ($35.47 million) in transactions. Taobao reported AI-powered smart hardware sales grew 80% year-on-year, while AI glasses sales increased nine-fold. Over 40,000 brands doubled their sales, and livestreaming rooms exceeding 100 million yuan in transactions grew by 50% year-on-year. Unlike past years, this year’s '618' festival focused on AI integration across supply chains, from logistics to customer service. JD.com emphasized AI-driven industrial innovation, improving cost control and operational efficiency. Alibaba’s Qianwen large language model was embedded into Taobao, enabling users to chat for product selection, virtual try-ons, and flash purchases. Experts noted AI’s role in aligning products with consumer demand, fostering new growth in the consumer sector. The trend aligns with China’s April policy guidance from six central government departments, encouraging AI and e-commerce integration to boost industry development. The festival spanned several weeks, with JD.com, Taobao, and Douyin launching AI-focused promotions since mid-May. This shift marks a fundamental upgrade in consumer shopping experiences, driven by AI’s deep integration into e-commerce ecosystems.