Convenience stores in China: What’s becoming more important beyond convenience
In China’s convenience store industry, companies face rising price sensitivity, traffic shifting to discount snack stores, and intensifying competition from instant retail. In 2025, although 66.1% of companies achieved year-over-year sales growth, the momentum slowed compared to the previous two years. 81.4% and 70% of companies experienced growth in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Sales growth […]
The olive oil market in China: Driven by health-oriented consumers
Olive oil in China has long been called “liquid gold.” It is cold-pressed directly from fresh olives without heating or chemical processing, preserving its natural nutrients. Olive oil is considered one of the most nutritionally beneficial fats discovered to date. Primarily because it is rich in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, which accounts for […]
Building a pop-up store in China that leaves a lasting impression
As Chinese consumers place more value on experiences than products, pop-up stores have become an important tool for brands. They offer unique and authentic moments that connect with people’s lifestyles, cultures, and values. These experiences often stay with consumers long after their visit. In the rapidly changing market, a pop-up store in China helps brands […]
Despite lingering stigma, the male beauty market in China remains resilient
Beauty in China is shifting away from being an option to becoming a necessity. With growing awareness of beauty products and a desire to gain social acceptance, more men are turning to beauty products. Even the older generations, who tend to hold onto more stigma regarding beauty products, are slowly adopting them. While skincare is […]
E-commerce platforms in China: The battle between shopping titans and rising stars
The Chinese e-commerce platform market generated a staggering sales volume of RMB 15.5 trillion in 2024. This makes China the world’s largest e-commerce market. This flourishing market is growing steadily year on year, reaching an annual growth rate of 7.2% in 2024. Chinese consumers are pampered with a myriad of platforms to choose from, such […]
How Costco in China thrives with few SKUs
In August 2019, American warehouse club Costco officially entered the Chinese market with a physical store in Shanghai. The opening weekend marked a hive of activity, with three-hour waits for parking spaces and thirty-minute queues at the checkouts. In January 2024, Costco in China expanded to the South with the opening of its Shenzhen location, receiving […]
China’s toys market: a new addiction among kids and adults?
Many people know China as the world’s largest toy exporter. It has a solid manufacturing reputation, especially in the southeastern provinces. Indeed, China’s toys market has consistently exhibited positive growth over the last ten years. In 2023, the size of China’s toy market stood at a substantial RMB 159.8 billion, indicating that the demand for […]
The Chinese art market: young collectors fuel contemporary art surge
The global art market is a multi-billion-dollar industry, playing a significant role in cultural exchange and economic development. While its artistic roots stretch back centuries, China’s art market has boomed in recent decades, becoming a major player on the global art scene. In recent years, the Chinese art market has witnessed a meteoric rise, solidifying […]
Omnichannel strategies in China: luxury brands’ attempts to multiply consumer touchpoints
China’s luxury market seeks steady recovery amidst challenges in 2022, which rebounded in 2023, as the market is driven by core luxury consumers who are less financially impacted by a slowing GDP. With the vigorous development of domestic luxury e-commerce, omnichannel luxury retail is making progress in China. Luxury brands are not merely adapting to […]
A Foreign Firm’s Guide to Collaborating with Retail Distributors in China
In China, the retail distribution market is characterized by a fast-moving ecosystem, composed of a complex network that ties together different market players such as manufacturers, Chinese wholesale suppliers, trading companies, distributors, agents, and retailers. This network presents a landscape filled with untapped opportunities that many foreign companies are eager to discover and leverage for […]
China’s outbound M&A trends: exploring the impact of COVID-19, regulatory reviews, and shifting investment preferences
The China Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) market has undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly in outbound deals. Despite a slump in China’s outbound M&A transactions in 2022, Asia remains a popular destination. However, continued tensions between the U.S. and China in combination with the hurdles presented by national security reviews continue to pose challenges […]
How young consumers and low-tier cities are shaping China’s jewelry market
China’s jewelry market is undergoing a significant transformation as younger consumers and low-tier cities are emerging as key drivers of growth. Millennials and Gen-Zs are reshaping the local jewelry market by showing a strong preference for gold jewelry over traditional silver and diamond options. This shift in consumer behavior has prompted established jewelry brands to […]