Richard Liu (Liu Qiangdong)

Richard Liu founded his company in 1998 as a brick-and-mortar electronics retailer in Beijing, but the 2003 SARS pandemic forced him to temporarily close physical storefronts. To keep the business afloat, he pivoted heavily to online sales, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become the massive e-commerce platform JD.com.

Unlike Alibaba, which primarily operates as a marketplace connecting third-party buyers and sellers, JD.com functions as a direct retailer that manages its own massive supply chain and warehouse network. This focus on direct sales allows JD.com to guarantee rapid, authentic delivery, largely through its proprietary logistics arm.

Liu Qiangdong graduated from Renmin University of China in Beijing, where he studied sociology. He taught himself computer programming during his college years, which gave him the foundational technical skills needed to transition his physical electronics store into an online enterprise.

Yes, Liu stepped down as the chief executive officer of JD.com in 2021, though he retained his position as chairman of the company's board. He handed the day-to-day operations over to Xu Lei, marking a significant leadership transition for the tech giant.