Xiamen’s economy: an export city that is learning to grow through industry and Taiwan
Updated on November 13, 2026 Xiamen is one of China’s richest cities per person, yet its economy is much smaller than its reputation. Its next stage depends on factories, a new airport and its role facing Taiwan. Xiamen’s GDP reached RMB 898.04 billion in 2025, up 5.7% YoY, above the national rate of 5.0% (Fujian […]
Chayan Yuese (茶颜悦色), the tea brand that refuses to franchise
Chayan Yuese (茶颜悦色), the Changsha tea brand that retired its English name Sexy Tea in 2022, ran 734 stores as of April 2026, every one of them operated by the company itself, and more than half of them in its home province of Hunan. In April 2026, Mixue (蜜雪冰城) counted 44,836 stores and CHAGEE (霸王茶姬) […]
Affordable fashion in China: Chinese Gen Z is paying for feelings, not just clothes
In March 2026, a three-year-old Chinese apparel label called W.MANAGEMENT took over H&M’s former flagship space in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay, roughly 30,000 square feet, at a fraction of the rent H&M once paid. The handover points to a bigger shift: affordable fashion in China is winning over the Gen Z customers, and the prime […]
Inoherb in China: how a Chinese herbal skin care pioneer lost ground in the Douyin era
Inoherb helped build Chinese mass skin care in the 2000s, then fell behind as beauty moved to Douyin; its story is a useful check for anyone assessing a Chinese brand.
China’s tennis market: The fashion and frenzy behind the world’s second-largest tennis base
Racquet sports are one of the fastest-growing sport categories in China, and tennis is taking the lead. China’s tennis market has seen continued growth, bolstered by both celebrity and fashion. While the “Li Na effect” first sparked national interest in the 2010s, Zheng Qinwen’s recent triumphs have injected new momentum. This growth is proving more […]
174,000 openings, 137,000 closures in a year: The evolution and uncertain future of Chinese modern tea sector
The Chinese modern tea sector has matured significantly since 2020, completing a transition from a volume-driven expansion model to a quality-focused era. In terms of growth, we can see this reflected in the shift from an average growth rate of 24.9% CAGR between 2017 and 2022 to a growth rate of 6.4% in 2024. The […]
How Chinese New Year marketing campaigns differed in 2026
The arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse recalibrated the emotional tempo of the market in 2026. If the Year of the Snake had encouraged reflection, healing, and controlled luxury, the Fire Horse signaled acceleration — velocity, vitality, and visible ambition. Consequently, Chinese New Year 2026 marketing campaigns had to navigate this surge of […]
Meng culture in China: Brands utilize cute economy to capture Chinese consumers
The rise of Meng culture in China is linked to a shift in social psychology. As young people face more pressure in everyday life, they are seeking out and drawn to products that can comfort them. Marketing campaigns with cute characters are not just targeting children but also young adults for nostalgic purposes. By leveraging […]
From local success to global player: ANTA’s strategic blend of tradition, innovation, and sustainability
ANTA(安踏), a prominent player in the Chinese sportswear market, has secured a notable position second only to Nike with revenue reaching RMB 29.6 billion in 2023. The sale is mainly from sports apparel and footwear segment. The company recorded a substantial revenue of RMB 11.1 billion from sports apparel sales, marking a notable increase from […]
Xiaohongshu’s Foodie Marathon boosts Shanghai’s culinary scene
On the 17th of July 2023, the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu launched the “100 Stores Exploration Plan” (100家探店计划), which will end on the 31st of December, 2023. This event was launched in several big cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing. The event involves visiting 100 stores and sharing relevant posts on the platform. […]
Could frequent shopping events like Crazy Thursday replace Chinese shopping festivals?
Crazy Thursday, or “疯狂星期四” in Chinese, is a promotional event hosted by the popular fast-food chain KFC. This event takes place every Thursday, during which KFC offers substantial discounts on various items from its menu. These discounts can often be quite significant, reducing the prices of KFC meals to a fraction of their original cost. […]
What is the recipe for successful China market entry strategy?
Navigating the complexities of China’s business culture and political environment is crucial for a successful market entry. With over 1.4 billion inhabitants, China has the largest population in the world, offering businesses a vast pool of potential customers and clients. The middle class in the nation is also growing quickly as more and more people […]