Jack Ma launched New Retail with a roar in 2016 starting a scramble for the New Retail crown on both sides of the Pacific. The buzzword has since fizzled out and Alibaba has divested in much of its bricks & mortar retail properties, but the need to rethink retail is more important than ever. Here's why...

Traditional collectibles have become a form of social currency among young people. From spiritual comfort to stylish accessories, livestreams and e-commerce have made these pieces more accessible. And people watch appraisal livestreams for whacky collectibles as an entertainment.

Douyin provides a platform for ordinary people to build small businesses. By creating unconventional and slightly whacky livestreams and videos, they've captivated young audiences and driven significant sales, despite their simple, rough-around-the-edges style.

Just like us, pets need to beat the heat during the sweltering summer months. From stylish cooling mats and pads, to ice collars and breezy apparel, a wave of functional and fashionable products has been heating up China's pet supplies market, creating promising seasonal opportunities.

This spring and summer, wearing bandana head scarves for outdoor trips has become popular, making them a must-have fashion item for 'dopamine girls.'

Chinese fresh food O2O platform Dingdong Maicai has become a cyber ‘flower, bird and fish market’ in addition to offering regular fresh food to expand business scope and attract young customers. You can find many ‘whacky‘ things there…

China big ecommerce festivals act as a barometer for consumer sentiment, but this year’s 618 also provides wider lessons into what is working with Chinese consumers right now

Alibaba has put together a fun and quirky guide to help foreigners, cats and martians understand 618 better, while also appealing to Chinese consumers

Douyin is moving from an embedded mall to a standalone app as it aims to break through existing limitations of its ‘interest-based e-commerce’ model

DAPHNE was a staple fashion item for Chinese ladies born in the 80s and 90s, but failed to adapt to changing market dynamics. A recent strategic shift and refresh has seen the brand rise from the dead

A myriad of resurrection services are coming online in China, ranging from tens of yuan to thousands

Incorporating AI into marketing is now so accessible in China, with plenty of examples of brands using it to engage more with customers and ultimately increase sales - some of the most successful approaches are surprising

Chinese consumers’ increasing need for emotional support is being reflected in what they’re spending online

It's clear that this year has been marked by a strategic emphasis on affordability, value, and shopping experiences. Various platforms, including Alibaba Group, prioritised offering "low prices" and “high value”, setting a distinctive tone for the "Double 11" shopping festival.

Livestreaming has been in the spotlight for this year’s Singles’ Day and continues to grow, but it is also evolving, with signs that further regulation could be on the cards

Elon Musk is looking to develop Twitter/X into a China-style superapp. Looking at the way China’s apps are evolving, he’s got plenty of examples to choose from, which should factor in China marketing strategies

Singles’ Day purchases highlighted provided some clear indications of shifts in consumer behaviour over the past 12-months

Anyone who has spent time in China is likely to have noticed how elaborate the packaging can be relative to similar products in Western countries. Goods are wrapped up as if for high tea in the depths of a Heilongjiang winter - one may have to make their way through four or five layers of intricate wrapping before reaching a tasty morsel buried deep inside. The perceived status, discovery or safety from fanciful packaging trumps any environmental concerns for most consumers.