Can you introduce yourself and your background?
I obtained my first Bachelor’s degree in International Economic and Business at the Chongqing Technology and Business University (in Chinese 重庆工商大学). Chongqing is one of the most attractive cities in southwest China, famous for its spicy hot pot and ‘hot’ girls!
I’ve also studied and lived over seven years in France where I obtained a second Bachelor’s degree from The University of Burgundy (UB) in Economic and Social Administration. I enjoyed a lot living in Bourgogne, the region with one of the most expensive wines in the world.
After Bourgogne, I obtained my Master’s degree in International Business Management at a French business school, INSEEC Paris, and worked for an international cosmetics and perfumery company in Paris. Before joining Daxue Consulting, I also had the opportunity to work for an international advertising firm in Shanghai.
What are you doing for Daxue Consulting?
As a project manager, I have work on various projects for different industries, such as Healthcare, Fashion and Cosmetics, Education, FMCG. My daily work consists of collecting and analyzing data as well as structuring it into a research project. I am also responsible for providing conclusions and actionable advice to our client.
What recent project did you work on? Do you have a specific sector you like to work on?
Recently, I worked for clients in theFMCG and fashion industries. My two sectors of specialization are the fashion and cosmetics; however, analyzing different industries gives me the possibility to have a more elaborate overview of what is happening in the world or the Chinese market.
What recent news did catch your eye in China?
Even though cross-border e-commerce is not new, nowadays it is becoming more and more well-known among Chinese consumers. Instead of buying products from Daigou, which is a 3rd party who resells products from abroad, Chinese people now have the possibility to purchase foreign goods directly from overseas websites. Websites such as SHOPBOP, Neiman Marcus, 6 pm, or the South Korea’s leading e-shopping platform Lotte.com for duty free are today targeting consumers in China. Some have developed Chinese sites, and some deliver directly to China. There are also companies cooperating with Chinese banks (e.g. China Merchant) offering attractive discounts. Delivery and payments methods such as Alipay have been also well developed. Cross-border shopping offers many advantages for buyers, such as a greater transparency about price and discount, possible cheaper prices than daigou (here without talking about the Customs duty), and an easier access to a broader range of foreign products.
Any hobby in Shanghai? Where would be your first choice for a dinner / party in Shanghai?
I won’t reveal my favorite restaurants (secret), but you can refer to the good examples from the Michelin Guide Shanghai which was just launched in China in September of this year.
