Chinese Delivery Uniform Wins French Design Prize

Taobao Shangou, a delivery service owned by Alibaba, received a Gold Award at the French Design Awards on Friday for its uniform design. The award marks the first time a uniform has won the top prize in the competition’s 11-year history. Organizers noted the uniform improves safety, comfort, and performance for delivery riders while fostering a sense of dignity and identity.

The design, launched in August 2025 and currently provided to over one million riders, incorporates safety features like smart earbuds for hands-free navigation and helmets with crash detection.

The award reflects a wider effort in China to improve working conditions for its approximately 200 million gig workers, spurred by public concern over rider exhaustion and a struggling economy. China’s State Council recently issued a plan to enhance labor protections and social security for these workers.