China’s consumers turn to local brands because they tend to be cheaper than international brands, and because of patriotism because of the US-China trade war, says Shanghai-based business analyst Shaun Rein to CNBC. Anti-US sentiment was already virulent under Biden because of anti-Chinese measures. Under Trump that has not yet improved, adds Shaun Rein, but the Chinese hope Trump is more transactional than Biden was.Read More →

China’s lunar new year is usually the time of the year consumers spend their money, but business analyst Shaun Rein, author of The Split: Finding the Opportunities in China’s Economy in the New World Order, saw this year consumer spending was low, very low, he tells CNBC. An exception is investing in China’s tech companies, who are successfully fighting US sanctions, he adds, at least among the movers and shakers in China.Read More →

2024 was a bumper year for BYD, but it might face tough challenges to maintain its current lead in the automotive market, says marketing analyst Arnold Ma, founder of Qumin, in Campaign Asia. “Initiatives such as reducing carbon footprints, ensuring fair labour practices, and engaging in community development that resonate positively with stakeholders should continue to stay in focus,” he writes.Read More →

Increasingly global brands not only look at China as a potential market but also as a guide on how they can use the country’s digital transformation for their global ambitions, writes marketing expert Ashley Dudarenok on her website Chozan. “By this year, China’s digital transformation sector is expected to reach $221.95 billion. It is forecasted by Mordor Intelligence to expand to $410.67 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 13.1% over these years,” she writes.Read More →

China’s Double 11 consumer festival has kicked off for its longest edition ever with five weeks. Consumption expert Ashley Dudarenok looks at this year’s trends for Campaign Asia. Dudarenok, author and China digital expert predicts that countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea—now part of the “free shipping zone”—will see a sharp rise in new users.Read More →

Customer centricity is key in a competitive markets, more than customer friendliness, says marketing expert Ashley Dudarenok on her weblog. “China’s approach to customer centricity has been transformative, driven by a combination of technological integration and a deep understanding of consumer behavior,” she writes.Read More →

Paula Macaggi, the founder of OFFBounds, sets off for her first trip to Shanghai and questions e-commerce expert Sharon Gai, the author of  Ecommerce Reimagined: Retail and Ecommerce in China on what she can expect on her journey. Key Takeaways: •⁠ ⁠The super app experience with WeChat •⁠ ⁠How China’s retail is about content and entertainment •⁠ ⁠Unique consumer behaviors and retail experiences only found in China •⁠ ⁠The rise of sustainable consumption in Chinese e-commerce.Read More →