Beyond sugar-free: What’s next for the soft drinks market in China
The soft drinks market in China encompasses ready-to-drink, non-alcoholic beverages (including concentrates) with 0.5% or less of ethanol. It includes bottled water, fruit and vegetable juices, protein beverages, carbonated beverages (sodas), and others, for a total of 11 major categories. The industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation: growth is shifting from volume to value and […]
Beyond experience, the next frontier is brand education in China
Every luxury brand in Shanghai now has a café, which is why the café concept no longer says as much as it could have said about your brand. At Daxue Consulting, we’ve identified that the next frontier is brand education – to build an educational system to teach how to “live” the brand promise. The impact […]
Chinese wine market: How consumers are drinking differently
For years, wine was closely tied to business dinners, gifting, imported prestige, and formal social occasions. That association weakened after COVID, but the decline did not mean that Chinese consumers lost interest in wine completely. The Chinese wine market is being rebuilt around smaller, lighter, and more intentional drinking occasions. This matters inside the broader […]
F1 fandom in China: How an elite sport won over young female audiences
The F1 fandom in China is currently undergoing a massive demographic transformation. In 2025, the fan base reached 221 million individuals, with nearly 50% of them being female. Moreover, the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix held in Shanghai from March 13th to 15th, 2026, attracted 230,000 live spectators and sold out all tickets. This influx further […]
Cracking China: How Coach balances expansion, pricing and brand image
Coach’s journey from a small New York leather workshop in 1941 to a global affordable luxury brand exemplifies the rise of accessible luxury. With annual sales of around $5.1 billion, Coach has built a strong presence worldwide, including a fast-growing market in China. Coach in China has become one of the brand’s key success stories […]
When nostalgia meets rebellion: The new face of Hello Kitty in China
In April 2025, Beast 野兽派, a leading Chinese lifestyle brand known for its premium floral products and artistic collaborations, launched a high-impact Hello Kitty pop-up campaign on Shanghai’s West Bund. Tapping into the strong cultural resonance of Hello Kitty in China, the activation aligned with the ongoing Shanghai Flower Show. It quickly gained traction on social media, generating […]
What China’s persisting low consumer confidence means for the 2025 China marketing calendar
Despite consumer confidence remaining low in China, it is not necessarily hurting businesses across all retail categories. In fact, some categories are performing well, such as collectible toys, outdoor sports apparel and equipment, health supplements, and pet supplies. Moreover, consumption remains important during special occasions, such as the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day. As […]
China’s nighttime economy after 996: Work hard (and play hard?)
China’s nighttime economy is booming as young professionals seek solace and leisure after their demanding “996” work schedules (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week). With limited free time in the day, nights have become a vital outlet for stress relief and emotional balance. According to the 2023 China Night Economy Development Report […]
Growth opportunities for foreign-owned hospital operations: What healthcare companies in China should know
Foreign-owned companies can now direct clinical operations and open 100% foreign owned hospitals in some Chinese cities. On September 7th 2024, China’s Ministry of Commerce, National Health Commission and the National Medical Products Administration announced the opening up the medical sector and, in particular, medical innovation to international players. As of this date, foreign-owned healthcare […]
China’s skincare market: From ingredient-savvy “skintellectuals” to moms and teens
While color cosmetics were negatively impacted after COVID-19, skincare in China remained resilient. Even new groups of consumers, such as teenagers who didn’t widely use skincare much in the past, are showing greater interest. In 2023, China’s skincare market was worth USD 55 billion, and it is expected to reach USD 59 billion in 2024. […]
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 […]
We and I: Indie beauty brands in China attract through individuality and collectivism
The indie sector has swiftly emerged as a significant player in the beauty industry, boasting global sales worth USD 30.5 billion. This trend is evident in China, especially among young consumers in China. Brands including Fan Beauty and Rare Beauty have been gaining popularity due to the growing desire for individuality, a sense of belonging, […]