•Changes in membrane integrity and permeability are related to pericarp browning.•PLD and LOX activities and PuPLD and PuLOX expression increased in pericarp browning.•Pericarp browning severity during shelf life is related to duration of cold storage.•Membrane damage due to expression of PuPLD and PuLOX caused pericarp browning. Cold storage is the primary postharvest technology used to maintain fruit quality and is generally employed to prolong the storage life of ‘Nanguo’ pears (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim). However, pericarp browning gradually appeared when ‘Nanguo’ pears were kept at 20°C after storage for 120 and 180d at 0°C. In this study, changes in the browning substrate and activity of key enzyme, membrane permeability, and the extent of membrane lipid peroxidation were investigated. Changes in the activity and gene expression of enzymes involved in the membrane lipid metabolism pathway were also studied. Significantly higher polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and lower total phenolic content were observed in fruit when browning occurred. Fruit kept for 180d in cold storage showed a significant increase in membrane permeability and malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared to fruit stored for 60 and 120d. This increase occurred late in cold storage and was maintained during subsequent shelf life. The activity of lipoxygenase (LOX) was remarkably increased and levels of PuPLD and PuLOX transcripts were markedly up-regulated during cold storage. During shelf life after cold storage, when pericarp browning occurred, the activities of phospholipase D (PLD) and LOX were significantly higher and expressions of PuPLD and PuLOX were significantly increased. These results indicated that the severity of pericarp browning during shelf life is related to the duration of cold storage. Pericarp browning resulted from membrane damage, possibly due to expression of PuPLD and PuLOX.