China’s yogurt market: a billion-dollar opportunity for brands
Despite most Chinese people’s lactose intolerance, China’s yogurt market is set to increase in the coming years. Yogurt is more attractive to Chinese consumers than any other milk product. This is because 90% of Chinese people have allergic reactions to dairy products, and yogurt breaks down a large portion of lactose during fermentation. As the […]
Chinese mini dramas: A new frontier for brand storytelling
Chinese mini dramas (also known as micro dramas) first appeared in China in 2018, shortly after Tiktok’s debut, and have since exploded in popularity, especially among younger viewers. These bite sized stories are filmed vertically and somewhere between 1 to 3 minute per episode. Initially, these stories gained traction for their compact narratives, fast pacing, […]
Bottled wellness: How healthy drinks in China became a leading category
Healthy drinks in China have been booming as consumers shift from sugary, high-fat options to natural, simple-ingredient beverages, driving strong segment growth. Data shows that in 2024, China’s overall beverage sales grew 7.8%, but healthier categories outpaced this. For instance, the ready-to-drink (RTD) teas jumped 16.6% year-on-year, and functional beverages rose 12.1%, even as traditional […]
China’s baby formula market: Structured recovery and shifting consumer demographic
China’s baby formula market has faced several challenges over the past two decades, leading to a decline in consumer trust. One of the most significant incidents that shook the industry occurred in 2008. Melamine was found in contaminated baby formula products. The toxin was identified in a Chinese brand. However, it rippled across the industry. […]
Aldi in China: Riding the wave of consumption downgrade
Aldi’s strategic positioning in China In China’s fiercely competitive retail landscape, international giants like Carrefour and Tesco have struggled to gain traction. Yet, the German discount supermarket chain Aldi has defied the odds and carved out a successful niche in China. The chain achieved RMB 2 billion in sales in 2024, a 100% increase year-on-year. […]
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 […]
Overview of China’s 618 2025 results: the longest 618 ever
The 618 2025 sales results showed that the total online sales during the festival period (spanning May 13–June 18) reached RMB 8.6 trillion, a 15.2% increase from the previous year. Platforms named this year as the “史上最长618” (the longest 618 in history), a format designed to sustain consumer interest and enhance the festival with additional […]
How subsidies and AI are fueling China’s consumer electronics market in 2025
The Chinese consumer electronics market maintained its position as the largest in the world with an estimated market size of USD 212.9 billion in 2025. Furthermore, its growth potential will continue to be unleashed by the recent round of subsidies and developments in AI technology. The expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.84% from […]
Sportswear brands in China’s 618 shopping festival: How did they perform in 2025?
In 2025, China’s 618 shopping festival set new records with RMB 855.6 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) across major e-commerce platforms, a 15.2% increase from the previous year. Alibaba’s Tmall maintained its top platform position in 2025. This was followed by JD.com, while ByteDance’s Douyin and Pinduoduo were also major platforms. As one of […]
Alo Yoga in China: Can the brand turn trendy buzz into real market share?
Alo Yoga, the Los Angeles–based activewear brand known for its blend of fashion and fitness, is set to open its first offline store in China in 2025. To lead this expansion, the brand has hired Aurora Liu, former Vice President at Arc’teryx and brand director at Nike, to head Alo Yoga in China. Download our […]
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 […]
How Rhode in China is booming without a market entry
On May 28th, 2025, e.l.f. Cosmetics acquired Rhode, the minimalist skincare brand founded by Hailey Bieber, for a reported USD 1 billion. While the acquisition signals Rhode’s strong performance in the U.S., its presence, or more accurately, absence, in China is an equally fascinating story. Despite no official launch, Rhode has quietly become a cult […]