How China’s stricter regulations reshape, not replace, vaping in China
China’s vaping market used to be fast-growing and free-for-all. Now it’s a tightly controlled, state-run system. Retail sales peaked at RMB 19.7 billion (USD 2.9 billion) in 2021 and then shrank to USD 2.67 billion. Rather than suppressing the market, strict regulations just changed how brands compete. Today, there are two markets running side by […]
The oat milk market in China: Inflection point from premium pioneer to mass-market battleground
The oat milk market in China reached RMB 14.53 billion in 2024, up 35-fold from RMB 410 million in 2018 and reached RMB 20.98 billion in 2025. China’s broader plant-based milk market, including soy, almond, and coconut alternatives, grew alongside oat milk but at a slower rate. Lactose malabsorption is widespread among Chinese adults, creating […]
How Gen Z and Millennials celebrate Christmas in China
Christmas may not be a public holiday in China, but many young people still celebrate it. They go shopping, buy gifts for their friends and romantic partners, and enjoy nighttime meals. For many, Christmas evokes images of fairy tale elements, such as Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and stockings. It is also an opportunity for businesses […]
The luxury watch market in China: Status, sophistication and counterfeiting
Despite broader economic challenges and a slowdown in the overall luxury sector, luxury watches continue to hold strong appeal among affluent Chinese consumers, increasingly viewed as a smart alternative investment during times of economic uncertainty. In 2024, the luxury watch market in China was valued at approximately USD 18.12 billion, reflecting steady growth, with an […]
Streetwear in China: how hip-hop and cultural fusion rule the fashion scene
The fashion industry has seen a significant shift in recent years, with China emerging as a dominant player. In 2022, China became the second largest apparel market, generating a remarkable revenue of USD 286.51 billion, representing almost 30% of the global market share. This shift has been highlighted by Fashion IP’s 2022 global ranking. has […]
The new wave of Chinese rap music: how can brands engage with it
The Chinese rap music trend started in the late 90s when Chinese people were heavily influenced by US hip-hop. The lyrics were originally written to send a message of social critique, a form of rebellion from oppressive censorship and the limitation on self-expression. Indeed, the first rap songs were shared through illegal sites and then […]
COVID-19 and international relations are reshaping the choices of Chinese studying abroad
Despite travel restrictions during the pandemic, China remains the main country of origin of international students, with a total of 1,061,511 students attending overseas higher education institutions in 2019. China holds the global top spot, boasting 600,000 more students than the country on the second position, India (461,792). In the last few years, the number […]
The Coffee shop market in China: Blue Bottle squeezes in with Starbucks, Luckin and Manner with its Shanghai entry
Blue Bottle, a Californian-based high-end coffee chain, has made its debut in Mainland China, opening its first store in Shanghai Jing’an International Center (上海静安国际中心). The grand opening of the Auckland coffee store has attracted heaps of crowds, with customers queuing up to 7 hours outside of the two-story historic building on Chang’an Road (长安路), just […]
Black pearl for the masses: The caviar market in China finding ground just behind production’s explosive growth
Ever since 2006, the first home-made can of caviar has triggered a hyper-growth of caviar production in China. Within two decades, China’s caviar industry witnessed an incredible escalation from 0.7 tons to 135 tons a year, a nearly 200% growth in the total amount produced. Accredited by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) statistics […]
Popular American TV series in China and what they reveal about Chinese consumers
American TV series are a big hit in China. As a source of soft power influence from the west to the east, many hit sitcoms, dramas and action series have been largely welcomed by Chinese audiences. Whether or not it was the intention of American producers to reach Chinese fans, it is nonetheless a great […]
Traditional and modern Chinese superstitions: Ghosts, gods, fate, and wedding dates
Chinese superstitious psychology has existed since ancient times. It originated from prehistoric religious ideas of primitive society. Through the development of Shang dynasty, Western Zhou dynasty, the Warrior Kingdom Period, Qin and Han dynasty and so on, it finally formed various forms of secular superstition in modern times and reformed under the influence of politics, […]
Apply the Kardashians marketing tactics in China
In 2020, the Kardashians’ fame in China has hit a new high. No matter how you feel about them, you cannot deny their success: the empire of Kim Kardashian worth $350 million and Kylie Jenner’s worth $900 million. This is mainly thanks to the Kardashians marketing genius, which is also trending in the Chinese market. […]