High cost pressures are reshaping consumer spending in South Korea’s wedding market
In 2024, there were 222,412 marriages in South Korea, a 14.8% year-over-year growth, according to Statistics Korea. This is the highest growth rate since 1970, though still 7% below the pre-pandemic 2019 level of 239,159 marriages. Although people are continuing to get married, high cost pressures are driving couples to rethink traditional formats in South […]
Value-for-emotion: The new currency of China’s emotional purchase
Buying large numbers of “blind boxes” like the trending Labubu, investing in a scented candle to improve sleep quality, or spending a weekend at a pottery or ring-making workshop may seem unrelated, but they are all forms of emotional purchase. In China, the emotional economy has seen exponential growth, led by the younger generation. For […]
Crocs’ strategy in China: Building a cult following through comfort and self-expression
Once struggling in China, Crocs has made a comeback by rebranding and tailoring its core offerings to Gen Z consumers. Today it continues to be extremely popular, transcending its status as a footwear trend and becoming a Gen Z cultural and social phenomenon. Crocs’ strategy in China focuses on understanding of its customers and a […]
Inside China’s luxury home appliances market in the trade-in & suite appliance era
China’s luxury home appliances market focuses on the premium tier of major appliance categories, including refrigeration, laundry, kitchen appliances (e.g., dishwashers, ovens, hoods, cooktops), and cleaning appliances (robot vacuums and floor washers). Collectively, the high-end residential lifestyle market comprises consumers who typically purchase luxury residential properties across most categories. In this context, “high-end” denotes the […]
Orange juice market in China: Premiumization drives growth
The orange juice market in China reached RMB 142.9 billion (USD 20.4 billion) in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period of 2025–2033. The market is rising despite a decrease in consumption volume because consumers are more concerned about product quality. They are willing to spend more per unit. In other […]
The Rise of Chinese Companies Report
For any brand competing in the Chinese market, the rise of Chinese brands both in China and globally is undeniable. While trends like Guochao (国潮) drive consumers to purchase local brands for the sake of cultural pride, domestic brands are simultaneously increasing their R&D investment, raising the product quality to compete with, and in some […]
Gold jewelry market in China: Consumers seek emotional comfort and long-term value amid the new VAT reform
On November 1st, 2025, a quiet regulatory update from China’s Ministry of Finance rewrote the logic of the gold jewelry market in China. The Ministry of Finance Announcement No. 11 adjusted how gold jewelry is taxed. At the same time, international gold prices surpassed USD 4,000 per ounce in 2025 for the first time in […]
Building a “Luxury Moat”: How Mao Geping redefines premiumization in C-beauty
The “C-Beauty wave” has fundamentally reshaped the cosmetics market in China. It evolved from a trend of affordable alternatives to a sophisticated market where domestic brands claimed a dominant 55.2% share in 2024. The first generation of domestic successes, such as Florasis (花西子), Timage (彩棠), and Flower Knows (花知晓), scaled through cultural storytelling and cost-efficiency. […]
When the market cools, the top end heats up: Inside China’s booming luxury home market
Amid the broader challenges facing China’s real estate market, China’s luxury home market has stood out as a bright spot. Even as the broader market cools in 2024-2025, demand for luxury homes remains robust. This creates a stark contrast with low– to mid-tier commodity housing, presenting a picture of “two worlds apart.” From a macro […]
How Kailas is building a premium outdoor brand in China
Kailas is part of a rapidly growing Chinese outdoor and sports market that has been expanding since 2016. Government support and long-term targets have helped expand the sector and, along the way, reduced the automatic prestige and trust advantage international brands once had in many categories. Local companies now have a clearer path into performance-focused […]
South Korea’s cancel culture: How consumers hold celebrities and brands accountable
In South Korea, it is no surprise that there are higher expectations for how celebrities should look and behave. South Korea’s cancel culture reinforces these expectations as celebrities are not only expected to be visually appealing but also to uphold the highest moral standards. They are expected to act humbly, be polite, and avoid unethical […]
South Korea’s pet industry: A March 2026 regulation is expected to accelerate the shift toward a pet-friendly society
South Korea’s pet industry is expected to undergo significant changes. In March 2026, a new government regulation will take effect allowing pets in a broader range of public establishments, including cafés and restaurants, key social spaces in Korean daily life. This policy change, combined with South Korea’s aging population, low birth rates, and growing tendency […]