South Korea’s foodservice market: How consumers are reshaping the fast food sector
It is no secret that food plays a massive role in shaping the lives of many Koreans. Watching “Mukbang” (eating shows), attending “Hweshik” (company dining and drinking events), and having “Honbap” (eating alone), are common. While traditional Korean cuisine still occupies a significant portion of the culinary landscape, western influenced food is emerging in South […]
“Why are there fewer and fewer drinks below 5 RMB?”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
Based on recent field research conducted by Economic View (中新经纬) at supermarkets and convenience stores in Beijing, bottled drinks are overall getting more expensive. Most of which costing over 5 RMB except for bottled water, and even more so any type of bottled drinks under the price of 3 RMB are rare to find on the shelf. This trend […]
China dreams in big: the most ambitious Chinese megaprojects of the 21st Century
China has a long history with engineering projects and infrastructure investments. Only in Q1 2023, more than 10,000 construction projects were launched in the country, reaching a combined investment of 7 trillion RMB. From colossal power plants to bullet trains and bridges almost as tall as two Eiffel towers, since the early 2000s the Chinese […]
“Durian price has hit a rock-bottom low this year”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
Durian, usually considered one of the most expensive fruit items, has become more affordable than ever this year in China due to a surge in durian supply like Monthong (Golden pillow) durian (金枕榴莲) from Thailand, as well as the opening of durian trade from Vietnam and the Philippines. During the first five months of 2023, […]
Breaking boundaries: embracing Chinese genderless fashion trends
In 2022, the global gender-neutral clothing market is expected to experience significant growth, reaching a multimillion USD value by 2028 and this trend can be seen in China as well. The rise of the unisex clothing trend in China can be attributed to the increasing public attention on gender equality. This shift in gender concepts, […]
What is the recipe for successful China market entry strategy?
Navigating the complexities of China’s business culture and political environment is crucial for a successful market entry. With over 1.4 billion inhabitants, China has the largest population in the world, offering businesses a vast pool of potential customers and clients. The middle class in the nation is also growing quickly as more and more people […]
E-commerce and social media: driving forces behind China’s fast fashion market success
China’s fast fashion industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by the country’s position as the world’s largest fashion market. Despite temporary setbacks caused by the COVID-19 lockdown and the Xinjiang cotton scandal, the industry is expected to continue expanding with an annual growth rate of 5.2% from 2023 to 2027. The market value reached 1 […]
From smartphones to drones: an in-depth look at China’s consumer electronics market
China is projected to generate the highest revenue in the global consumer electronics market, estimated at 228.3 billion USD in China in 2023, followed by the United States with 155 billion USD and India with 69.15 billion USD. The revenue of consumer electronics in China is expected to grow to 252.6 billion USD in 2028 […]
A guide to engage with Chinese travelers in 2023
Chinese outbound tourism is on its way back, and brands are making moves to capitalize on the upcoming travel retail opportunities. The 2023 Chinese New Year period already saw a 23.1% bump from 2022 in domestic trips, according to the Chinese travel booking platform Qunar, and outbound trips rise is predicted to follow. A publication […]
The future of sustainable fashion in China
Though currently niche, one area of China’s fashion industry that is projected to grow is sustainable fashion. Sustainability awareness is not only rising, as we found in our 2022 Green Guilt report, but there are many other hidden motivators driving sustainable fashion in China. In this report, we use social listening to uncover what Chinese […]
“Why leftover blind boxes are trending?”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
Recently, a new trend of purchasing discounted unsold food in blind boxes, known as “leftover blind boxes (剩菜盲盒)” has taken off in China’s first-tier and new first-tier cities, particularly amongst young people. Consumers can enjoy 1/3 or even 1/4 of the regular price of a variety of food items such as sushi, coffee and bread […]
Plant-based milk in China: is the future of milk vegan?
Plant-based milk in China has gained increasing popularity as an alternative to traditional dairy milk. Driven by various factors including increasing health consciousness, environmental concerns, and lactose intolerance among consumers, this trend is expected to grow even more, opening unique opportunities for new brands in the Chinese market. Increasing demand of milk substitutes, with soy […]