Halloween in China: a thriving celebration and branding bonanza
Halloween in China has transcended cultural borders and evolved into a widespread celebration, rivalling other major Western holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day. As for many other holidays, Halloween has far-reaching implications for brands and businesses, from unique food and beverages to pet costumes and large-scale theme park festivities. Download our report on the She […]
Fostering digital and physical connections with Nike in Korea
Nike made its entry into the Korean market in 1994 under the banner of “Nike Sports Korea”. In 1996, merely two years after its launch, Nike Sports Korea secured sponsorship deals with the KFA (Korean Football Association) and the Korea Republic National Football Team, solidifying its presence in the Korean sports arena. Since then, it […]
“Hangzhou people don’t drink instant coffee anymore?”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
In recent years, China has seen an increasing demand for coffee, mostly among white-collar workers aged 20 to 40 years old who have developed an appetite for it, according to Deloitte’s report. Although the freshly brewed coffee industry is booming in China, instant coffee is becoming increasingly unpopular in some regions of China. Hangzhou’s coffee culture […]
From hidden gems to shining stars: The growing allure of Scandinavian niche fashion brands in China
In recent years, international fast fashion giants have encountered substantial challenges in remaining competitive in China’s dynamic fashion industry. These challenges stem from various factors, including the growing emphasis on sustainability and mounting competition from both domestic and international brands. On top of these factors, brands such as H&M, Zara, and Gap have faced scrutiny […]
From Changsha to China: Sexy Tea’s journey through Guochao and product expansion
Sexy Tea（茶颜悦色）is a tea brand originating in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. Founded by Zhang Zhongzheng in 2013, the new-style tea chain has expanded its networks of stores, with a strong presence in cities like Wuhan, Chongqing, and Chengdu, although its primary roots remain in Changsha. It’s not just a favorite among Changsha’s residents but has […]
“Are you willing to pay a premium for the sentiment of patriotism towards domestic products?”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
On September 10th, during a live-streaming event, China’s top beauty influencer Li Jiaqi promoted a 79 RMB eyebrow pencil by domestic cosmetics brand Florasis (花西子). However, one netizen commented that the product had become more expensive recently. In response to this, Li advised them to reflect on themselves. He further questioned them if their salaries […]
“Why do Chinese tourists no longer want to travel abroad?”: Trending hashtag on Chinese social media
As travel restrictions continue to ease as the world enters the post-pandemic era, China’s outbound tourism is gradually recovering. In the first half of 2023, outbound tourism destinations welcomed 40.37 million tourists from mainland China, mostly in neighboring countries and countries. The international passage transportation volume also has bounced back to 23% of the level of 2019, with June […]
China’s consumer spending: 5 hurdles and a glimpse of optimism
China, the world’s second-largest economy, has lately been a focal point of global economic discussions, particularly in the context of consumer spending. As of August 2023, consumer spending in China has shown signs of recovery after a tepid July, with marked increases in sales across various sectors such as apparel, automotive, food, furniture and appliances, […]
Sourcing success made simple: how to find suppliers in China
When it comes to conducting business in China, a critical success factor for foreign enterprises is the ability to find reliable suppliers. China remains a global export leader, having achieved an impressive USD 418 billion in exports of intermediate goods in 2021 Q4. The US, Vietnam, and South Korea emerged as the top export destinations for […]
Lemon8: From lifestyle sensation to social media struggles
In April 2020, the Chinese tech giant Bytedance, owner of TikTok, launched an app which was supposed to give Instagram a run for its money: Lemon8. The app was firstly launched in Japan, then reached the US market 2 years later, in February 2022. It can be described as a lifestyle platform similar to the […]
An illustration of the complexity of the Chinese economy
As China rapidly becomes a world leader, the Western press has always tried to put the country’s economy in a bad light. This often involves highlighting the negative aspects of the Chinese economy. However, this vision generates a distorted perception of China’s real development. Besides, these opinion does not match with the reality of facts, […]
SEA’s seafood market: Home of 22% of the world’s fisheries
Southeast Asia (SEA) is a remarkably diverse region, home to eleven distinct countries. This expansive region extends approximately 4,000 miles from its northwest corner to the southeastern tip. Thus, it covered a vast territory of around 5,000,000 square miles which comprised both land and sea. Notably, an extensive portion, approximately 65.28% or 3,264,000 square miles, […]