Emotional skincare in China: From buzzword to science
In China’s rapidly evolving beauty market, the conversation has shifted from “what ingredients are in your serum” to “how does your skincare make me feel?” For years, consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, were obsessed with ingredient efficacy: the precise percentage of niacinamide, the latest peptide innovation, the newest anti-aging molecule. Today, that obsession is […]
Mass-market in Canada, premium in Asia: The strategy of Tim Hortons in South Korea
Founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, Tim Hortons operates more than 5,700 stores in 17 countries as of 2025. In May 2023, it entered South Korea, marking its seventh venture in Asia after the Philippines, China, Thailand, Pakistan, India, and Singapore. Its first grand opening in Seoul made social media and news claims saying that […]
Ganbei! An in-depth guide to Chinese drinking culture and its cultural shift
Modern-day China has a rapidly growing wine and spirits market, with even some of the world’s most prestigious names like Château Lafite Rothschild taking root in China. But this market didn’t arise from China embracing Western drink products and consumerism, nor does it come from China’s rapid globalization and economic development over recent years. In […]
The “Hermès of gold”? How Laopu is forging China’s luxury identity
Laopu Gold has rewritten the rules in the Chinese luxury jewelry market. In 2024, Laopu’s single-store efficiency soared to 459 million RMB, with a growth rate of 200.8% in the first half of 2025, outperforming every domestic and international competitor. With an average of 77% of its customer base overlapping with Hermès, Tiffany, Cartier, and […]
Chinese consumers are focusing on their long-term gratification, are brands aligned with them?
Every consumer is familiar with having to choose between what’s tempting and what’s good for them. Many terms can be used to describe this conundrum, such as “inspirational vs aspirational” consumption or short-term vs long-term gratification. But the core of these two conflicting forces is the temptation of a dopamine hit vs. the satisfaction of […]
Chanel in China: Mastering exclusivity in the world’s largest luxury market
Chanel in China has built one of the most resilient luxury stories. For over two decades, the brand has balanced cultural localization with an uncompromising defense of exclusivity. In a market where rivals often chase scale and digital volume, Chanel doubles down on scarcity, intimacy, and heritage, an approach that both differentiates and challenges the […]
AI in China’s beauty industry: How brands are leveraging technology to meet evolving demands
AI in beauty is reshaping China’s market, transforming how products are developed, marketed, and delivered to consumers. The Chinese beauty industry is growing at 3.71% and is projected to reach $73.66 billion USD in the year 2025, making China the second-largest beauty market globally, after the United States. Yet behind the strong topline growth lies an […]
HOKA in China: Building a niche brand fandom
HOKA in China has grown rapidly since entering the market in 2017. HOKA was originally founded to solve the problem of trail runners struggling with downhill comfort. Since then, it has expanded far beyond its niche roots to become one of the world’s fastest-growing performance footwear brands. Download our report on China’s summer sports market […]
China’s spirits market: DIY mixology and pre-mixed drinks on the rise
The spirit market is growing in China, and mixology has become a trend that’s been popular on social media platforms. The revenue of alcohol sold in supermarkets and convenience stores in China amounts to USD 205.7 billion as of July 2025, compared to the alcohol revenue generated in restaurants and bars, which is USD 119.2 […]
Pang Dong Lai’s success story: A blueprint for the future of retail
Pang Dong Lai (胖东来) is a retail store chain founded in March 1995 by Yu Donglai. It is headquartered in Henan, China, with a total of 13 stores in Xuchang and Xinxiang. In 2024, they reported a total sale of RMB 17 billion, with a profit of over RMB 800 million. On average, the profit […]
Coconut water in China: Soaring popularity in China’s wellness economy
China’s coconut water market has surged in recent years, transforming from a niche segment into a booming industry. Coconut water in China has been driven by rising health awareness and savvy marketing, making it one of the fastest-growing beverage categories in China. Once a niche beverage, the coconut water market in China grew from just […]
The spiritual economy in China: psychological comfort for young people
In recent years, Xuanxue (玄学), an esoteric discipline rooted in Chinese philosophy, has become a powerful driver of the growing spiritual economy in China. Xuanxue is an ancient cultural tradition, dating back to Wei and Jin dynasties in ancient China. It covers many fields, such as numerology, feng shui, divination, etc., and synthesizes the teachings […]