JD Now, powered by Blink, will connect and engage circa 90,000 global workers across JD Group
JD, a leading global omnichannel retailer of sports fashion brands, has partnered with employee experience platform to unveil “JD Now,” a revolutionary employee super-app designed to transform communication and operational efficiency for its entire workforce. The platform is rolling out to circa 90,000 employees across JD Group’s global brands, including JD Sports, Go Outdoors, and Finish Line, marking a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to digital innovation and employee experience.
In the first 10 days following the pilot launch of JD Now, JD saw an incredible 74% adoption rate across the 20,000 initial users, as well as tens of thousands of direct and group messages — showcasing a near-immediate improvement to connection and communication.
Bridging the digital divide
The global retailer launched the platform after identifying opportunities to improve its internal communications and employee engagement. With a rapidly growing workforce, the company recognized that traditional communication methods — including shop-floor huddles, paper magazines, and physical notice boards — were no longer sufficient to maintain the level of connection and operational efficiency required for a business of its scale.
In response to feedback from employees who wanted a higher level of connection across the business, JD Group sought out a cutting-edge solution to unify and streamline its communication channels. Blink was selected for its expertise in frontline employee engagement and its ability to provide a mobile-first, user-friendly platform that could meet the diverse needs of JD’s expansive workforce.
“At JD, we know our people are our greatest asset and we are committed to investing in the tools to ensure they excel,” said Nicola Kowalczuk, chief people officer at JD Group. “The launch of JD Now in partnership with Blink marks an important step forward in enhancing our employees’ work experience and leading the way in retail digital transformation. This platform is not just about communication — it’s about equipping our teams with the resources they need to thrive in a fast-paced retail environment.”
JD Now: Key features and benefits
- Unified communication platform: JD Now is an easily accessible platform, simplifying
- communication and reducing reliance on traditional, inefficient methods.
- Enhanced employee engagement: By fostering better interaction between employees and leadership, JD Now is designed to boost morale and reduce attrition, creating a collaborative and engaging team environment.
- Employee-generated content: The platform makes it easy for employees to contribute ideas and feedback, encouraging them to be active participants in the brand’s evolution.
- Advanced digital transformation: JD Now reflects JD’s dedication to modernizing retail operations and providing employees with the tools needed to excel in a digital age.
Blink, known for its mission to connect frontline teams with the tools they need to thrive, is empowering hundreds of thousands of frontline workers globally with an engaging employee super-app that facilitates an average of seven interactions per day per user and helps to reduce attrition rates by up to 25%.
“Collaborating with JD Group to launch JD Now is a major milestone for Blink,” said Sean Nolan, CEO and co-founder of Blink. “Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between leaders and frontline workers, and JD Now is a testament to our shared vision of transforming employee experience and communication in the retail sector.”
