JD.com appoints Zarina Kanji as director of European direct sourcing

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has appointed Zarina Kanji as director of European direct sourcing, based in London.

Kanji announced the appointment through a post on professional network LinkedIn. In her new role, she will lead the direct sourcing of European brands to expand sales to the platform’s active consumer base in China. Her primary category focuses will span fashion, sport, health and beauty.

The platform currently reaches more than 700 million annual active users in China. Kanji will work alongside company executives Sid Dhar and Ellie Nye to drive export growth for European brands entering the Chinese market.

Kanji brings extensive international e-commerce and retail experience to the platform. Most recently, she served as managing director for the UK and Europe at WPIC Marketing + Technologies from June 2024 to July 2026. Prior to that, she held the role of senior international business development manager at UK wellness retailer Holland & Barrett.

Her background includes significant experience with Chinese e-commerce ecosystems, having spent over five years at Alibaba Group as head of business development and marketing for Tmall Global. Earlier in her career, she held senior roles including vice president of global fashion and sport brand partnerships at Southeast Asian platform Lazada Group, head of buying at department store chain House of Fraser, and various buying roles at Ralph Lauren.