Pang Donglai Denies Claims of 5 Million Job Losses Due to Ecommerce

CNBC AI News, August 1st – Chinese retail powerhouse Pang Dong Lai (胖东来) has issued a statement refuting claims circulating online about the potential job losses caused by the downfall of e-commerce.

In recent days, various online platforms have been flooded with posts falsely attributing statements to Pang Dong Lai, suggesting “If e-commerce collapses, 5 million people will lose their jobs” and “If brick-and-mortar stores make a full recovery, they could create 500 million jobs.”

Pang Dong Lai has officially stated that they have never released any such statements or content. The company denounces the spread of this misinformation as severely misleading.

The retailer urges those involved in fabricating and disseminating false information to immediately cease its propagation and remove the related content. They also encourage the public to exercise caution, verify information before sharing, and avoid being misled, protecting both their own interests and the broader social environment. Claims like the one being circulated are unfounded.

According to official data, Pang Dong Lai Group’s sales for the first half of the year totaled a robust RMB 11.707 billion. The supermarket, jewelry, and appliance divisions contributed RMB 6.350 billion, RMB 1.182 billion, and RMB 1.180 billion, respectively. This performance underscores the brand’s continued dominance in the local retail market, even amidst the rise of e-commerce.

Back in June, Pang Dong Lai’s founder, Yu Donglai, announced on his personal Douyin account ambitious targets for 2025. He projected net profits of approximately RMB 1.5 billion, with an average post-tax monthly income of RMB 9,000 for the company’s 8,000+ employees. Furthermore, he envisioned an average distribution of around RMB 700,000 per person for management and technical staff. This move reflects the company commitment to employee compensation and talent retention in an increasingly competitive market.