With only four stores in 2024, does this mark the end of Carrefour in China?
When the French multinational retail corporation entered China in 1995, as its name in Chinese (“家乐福,” meaning family, happiness, and fortune) suggests, Carrefour was a place where many Chinese consumers visited with their family, friends, and loved ones. However, despite enjoying success for about two decades, in the mid-2010s, it started experiencing serious challenges. Even […]
Beer market in China: Is premiumization the right move amid the slowing economy?
China holds over 15% of the global beer market share, making it the largest beer-consuming country in the world. However, as Chinese consumers cut back on spending and show evolving consumer preferences, such as more demand for premium and craft beers, it presents both opportunities and challenges for beer brands. By 2025, the beer market […]
CharlieTown Milk Tea: The rise of China’s “Hermès of Milk Tea”
CharlieTown Milk Tea has quickly risen to prominence in Shanghai, earning the title of the “Hermès of Milk Tea” among milk tea consumers. First opened in November 2021, CharlieTown Milk Tea has opened a total of 8 stores in the past three years. Despite its high price and minimalist lineup, the brand has captivated both […]
China’s fertility market: Medical advancements that are shaping the future of reproductive health
China’s fertility market is undergoing rapid transformation as declining birth rates become a critical issue. With policies supporting childbirth and advancements in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), the market shows potential for steady growth. Download our 2024 China Summer Sports Market report Shrinking population: A new reality for China China’s birth rates declined continuously from 10.41 […]
What China’s persisting low consumer confidence means for the 2025 China marketing calendar
Despite consumer confidence remaining low in China, it is not necessarily hurting businesses across all retail categories. In fact, some categories are performing well, such as collectible toys, outdoor sports apparel and equipment, health supplements, and pet supplies. Moreover, consumption remains important during special occasions, such as the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day. As […]
How Southeast Asian (SEA) food & beverage chains are thriving in China
China’s food & beverage market has experienced steady expansion in recent years. From USD 0.76 billion in 2022, it is projected to reach USD 1.62 billion by 2029. This growth makes China a prime market for SEA food & beverage chains in China looking to expand their reach. Download the ASEAN x China business relations […]
Will Cotti Coffee win the price war against Luckin Coffee?
Founded in August 2022 by former Luckin Coffee executives Lu Zhengya and Qian Zhiya, Cotti Coffee (库迪咖啡) has experienced rapid growth. As of May 2024, it had the third-highest number of coffee shops, with 6,505 stores, following Starbucks with 7,102 stores and Luckin Coffee with 18,360 stores. Despite its meteoric rise and the growing number […]
China’s child care market: What does good parenting look like today?
Despite the government’s efforts to boost birth rate, such as offering a monthly allowance of RMB 800 per child to every household with two or more children, China’s birth rate fell to a record low of 6.39 births per 1,000 people in 2023. While the high cost of raising a child is a key factor […]
Cosmetic distribution in China: Omnichannel strategy, AI, and KOL partnership for success
Cosmetic distribution in China is on an upward trajectory. According to the iiMedia Research, China’s cosmetics industry is projected to reach RMB 579.1 billion by 2025, with an expected CAGR of 4.93% from 2020 to 2025. However, the market’s complexity requires brands to adopt innovative distribution strategies tailored to Chinese consumers’ unique behaviors and expectations. […]
POP MART in China: How it became a brand that pops to mind
In July 2016, POP MART in China introduced blind boxes, signifying its evolution from a conventional toy distributor to a pop toy intellectual property operator. Not long after in 2020, it was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, paving the way for international expansion. Its revenue from Mainland China in the first half of […]
China’s traveler market: Strengthened demand for experiential consumption
In the first quarter of 2024, domestic tourism recorded 1.419 billion trips, a year-on-year increase of 16.7%. Domestic tourism revenue reached RMB 1.52 trillion, up 17.0% year-on-year. This marks the first time revenue of China’s traveler market has surpassed the same period in 2019. In the post-pandemic era, young Chinese travelers are seeking personalized and […]
China’s nighttime economy after 996: Work hard (and play hard?)
China’s nighttime economy is booming as young professionals seek solace and leisure after their demanding “996” work schedules (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week). With limited free time in the day, nights have become a vital outlet for stress relief and emotional balance. According to the 2023 China Night Economy Development Report […]