How China’s footwear industry is coping with shifting consumer preferences
Due to the fast-evolving tastes of Chinese consumers, leather shoe brands are finding it challenging to stay relevant in the footwear industry in China. In the 2nd week of May 2024, Chinese netizens were having a heated discussion on Weibo regarding whether #leather shoes have been abandoned by today’s era# (皮鞋已经被这个时代抛弃了吗), garnering over 6 million […]
“ChaPanda dips over 10% on the first day after its IPO”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
ChaPanda (茶百道) made its debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on April 23rd, earning the title of “the second stock of new tea beverages (新茶饮第二股)” after Naixue, and emerging as a major player in China’s freshly-made tea beverage market by 2023. However, ChaPanda’s stock faced a 10.06% drop on its first day, signaling the intense competition […]
“The middle-class women have given Lululemon steady happiness”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
Lululemon, once known as a niche brand targeting those who aspire to have an active lifestyle, has shown great market growth with its net revenues in the Chinese mainland market reaching USD 964 million throughout the fiscal year of 2023, marking a remarkable 67% increase from the previous year. The women’s apparel line plays a critical role […]
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, […]