Consumer pain points in China’s beauty market

In the very competitive beauty market in China, many brands are fiercely and rapidly innovating to satisfy the needs of consumers. However, there are still remaining pain points that have not been addressed at all or have not been addressed effectively by brands. To identify some of these pain points, we conducted social media listening […]
“Why is coffee becoming cheaper and cheaper as it sells more”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media

China’s coffee market is projected to reach a staggering RMB 1 trillion in 2025. This rapid growth, however, also comes with intensifying competition. In addition to well-known domestic coffee brands and international coffee chains, even tea-focused brands like Mixue Ice Cream & Tea (蜜雪冰城) have entered the coffee market with their own freshly ground coffee brand, Lucky […]
“Chinese tourists queuing up to buy Louis Vuitton bags in Japan at 4 am”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media

According to Umetrip (航旅纵横), as of April 22nd, bookings from Chinese tourists for both inbound and outbound international flights have exceeded 790,000, an increase of over 1.5 times from the previous year. Specifically, among the most popular outbound travel destinations, Japan emerged as the top choice. In the first quarter of this year, Chinese tourists spent RMB […]
“County-level tourism booms during the Labor Day holiday”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media

The Labor Day holiday is one of China’s most important public holidays, during which many people engage in travel spending in order to release their pent-up consumption and travel demands. Therefore, the Labor Day holiday serves as a strong indicator for the tourism economy in China. According to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, during […]
South Korea’s furniture market: Is furniture the new fashion?

As people in South Korea spend more time at home doing activities beyond just eating and sleeping, there is growing attention to furniture products. South Korea’s furniture market is witnessing growth, with a market worth of USD 3.8 billion in 2023 and projected to experience a CAGR of 4.18% from 2024 to 2029. Read our […]
The fashion industry in China: Chinese young consumers are becoming highly brand-conscious

China’s fashion industry is currently experiencing an era of unprecedented change and growth. In the “State of Fashion 2023” report, a joint effort by BoF and McKinsey, it was projected that the global fashion market will slow down in 2023 due to macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, including rising inflation, supply chain pressures, and political tensions. […]
Pearl market in China: propelled by Chinese youths and old-money aesthetics

Pearls are categorized into two main types: freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls. In the first half of 2023, the pearl market in China was valued at RMB 31.09 billion. The country currently dominates the production of freshwater pearls, accounting for around 75% of the global output, primarily clustered in a few provinces. Younger consumers are […]
Uniqlo in China: Maintaining its unique position amidst the competitive Chinese market

Since establishing its first store in Shanghai in 2002, Uniqlo has woven itself into the fabric of China’s retail landscape. As of April 2024, the brand operates a vast network of 920 directly operated stores across more than 200 cities throughout Mainland China. The number of stores in China surpassed even the number of stores […]
Wellness industry in China: traditional Chinese medicine, mental health apps, and USD10 billion spa empire

The wellness industry focuses on products and services that promote health, well-being, and overall quality of life. It encompasses fitness, nutrition, personal care, mental health, alternative medicine, spa treatments, and more. The wellness industry in China is propelled by the younger generation’s emphasis on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), mental health, and aesthetic spa experiences. Furthermore, […]
“KFC responded to the implementation of charging packaging fees”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media

In the 3rd week of February 2024, the hashtag #KFC responded to the implementation of charging packaging fees# (肯德基回应全面开收打包费) was trending on Weibo, garnering close to 100 million views in two days. On February 20th, KFC announced that it would start charging packaging service fees, while the official pricing for delivery fees has been reduced from RMB 9 […]
Medical tourism in South Korea: What makes it a premier destination for global patients?

Medical tourism, the act of seeking medical treatment abroad for better value or superior quality compared to what is available domestically, has experienced notable growth in recent times, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Medical tourism in South Korea has surged alongside the popularity of K-beauty and the Hallyu wave. It has emerged as one of […]
NIU’s expansion journey within the electric two-wheeler market in China

Within the electric two-wheeler market in China, NIU has recently embarked as a new disruptive competitor. The company has been able to swiftly expand its product line amidst an unprecedented increase in demand for efficient urban transportation solutions. It was also driven up by rising concerns about air quality and increased traffic congestion. In this […]