Many e-commerce suppliers are inviting foreign students to act as couriers and ensure efficient express delivery services during Spring Festival, China Business News reports.

The upcoming festival, China's Lunar New Year, is expected to leave online shopping sites short-handed due to an exodus of workers. But in a competitive market, JD.com and other companies promised to keep business normal, at least in major cities, during this time.

Suning Tesco plans to recruit a group of foreign students to be couriers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Chengdu. Shoppers are suggested to not feel surprised when opening the door and seeing a foreign guy saying, "Here's your delivery!" Such work can also help foreigners better understand China's culture, an expert said.

Besides the shortage of employees, the express delivery industry was hit hard by the cold front that swept most parts of China.

Facing a slew of delays, the speed of parcel deliveries has slowed by 20 percent from Jan 20 to Jan 24, largely due to the bad weather, according to statistics from Cainiao, Alibaba's logistics arm. Couriers are also facing other barriers, such as traffic congestion and frozen fuel tanks.