Funds will be used to upgrade all of IKEA’s existing stores in China while adding a network of smaller stores in central urban locations. The initiative also aims to enhance IKEA’s e-commerce resources and digital innovation in the country, where the retail giant’s growth has slowed in recent years. “China’s...

The concept of ‘New Retail’ has proven to be revolutionary since 2017. Much has been written about how shopping in China is more technologically advanced than it is in the West, but at what point did China’s tech surpass the West’s, and what was the country’s formula for producing this...

Have you heard of China’s New Retail, but aren’t quite sure what it is or how retailers can use it in their advantage? Read on to get up to speed in record time – all it takes is the time to read this blog post and 5 slides! New Retail...

You might not have heard of Yunji, one of the latest giants of Chinese social commerce. Yet, it just went IPO on the Nasdaq, raising $121 million USD. Who is this new booming social commerce company? Like Pinduoduo, Yunji is a social commerce company relying mostly on WeChat sharing in...

Social e-commerce platform Pinduoduo is expanding into China’s booming cross-border e-commerce business in an effort to meet growing consumer demand for quality goods. The expansion comes as Chinese e-commerce giants are raising stakes in their globalization initiatives, aiming to bring in more imported products – seen as higher quality – to...

More and more companies have adapted their business models in China to include a Wechat shop, especially WeChat mini-program shops lately. But brands have to keep in mind what makes selling on WeChat potentially profitable. Namely the social sharing feature, creating a sort of Facebook/Groupon mash-up. And that is not...

Online versus offline was an “either-or” retail equation not long ago. The popularity of new retail is creating a more favorable third option that combines both in-shop and online experiences. All major Chinese tech giants including Alibaba, Tencent, JD, Xiaomi, and Meituan have made similar moves. And now Kaola from Netease,...

First Weibo started gaining ground as the go to Social platform for Travel related posts. And now even Little Red Book is joining the fray with people flocking to the platform for Travel reviews and inspiration. Where does that leave WeChat? It plays its own crucial role in helping brands...

We’ve prepared a list of internet platform trends for those who have digital presences in China, are contemplating digital presence, or just interested in tech generally. This list is part of a Predictions Mini-Series in which we also cover travel and consumption trends for the coming year. Before we dive...

Little Red Book or RED, a social e-commerce app, announced the launch of its “brand partner platform" in January.  It helps brands connect directly to the site’s influencers if they would like to arrange for sponsored posts, endorsements or positive reviews. But it also introduced something else. Possibly one of...