How are China's blind box phenomenon and innovative product strategies are reshaping consumer behavior? Learn how brands can stay relevant in China's fast-paced market with creative, cost-effective approaches to meet evolving demand.

In recent years, Shanghai's low-altitude economy has been rapidly commercializing, driven by successful developments in composite materials, a strong talent pool, and an expanding range of application scenarios presenting opportunities for travellers and brands alike.

Earlier this month, China's leading chain coffee brand, Luckin, launched a new crossover product called Light Jasmine milk tea. Due to its striking similarities with CHAGEE's signature product, bóyájuéxián, many netizens believe Luckin is essentially "replicating" it.

Brands from JD to Xiaomi are using their founders to build traffic and preference in China

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

Haidilao and Jiuyang are two hugely successful domestic brands in China’s competitive landscape, utilising mantras like “Go wherever people are going” and “Try whatever consumers are interested in.”

Here is a tale of three brands, each who have seen quite different outcomes in China over the past-12 months. They provide valuable lessons in public relations (PR) in China's increasingly sensitive and less tolerant consumer market.

The allure of its enormous 1.4 billion population and rising affluence has seen China become one of the world’s most attractive markets, but also its most competitive. Many international brands have struggled to gain a presence and generate sales.

Last week's four-day Fifth Plenary Session in Beijing saw China's leaders meet to determine the blueprint for China's policies over the next five years. Although the full details won't be released in March next year, below are 13 highlights from the communique published following the session:

The digital economy has completely revolutionized retail business, especially in China, where offline-online transitions have been adopted particularly swiftly. China’s ecommerce spending craze growth is slowing, but still clocked an impressive 26.8% growth in the first half of 2015, when Ecommerce consumers in China spent US$253 billions about 10% of total retail sales in the nation. The following buzzwords will help you understand the latest ecommerce dynamics and the popular digital means of payments used in China.

Adapting your brand for China is often talked about and for good reason. For China's unique and diverse market, a solid strategy is required for a chance at success in one of the world's most competitive markets. Long gone are the days when a brand could enter China and take off due to fact that it was foreign; today a China-specific strategy is needed. Chinese consumer preferences can shift on a dime and understanding what Chinese like about your products, destination or service is vital to understanding how you can better meet the needs of Chinese consumers.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) gets together as a full committee twice a year for its plenary session. These meetings are called 两会 (Lianghui) and are the most watched political events in China. During the meetings, China’s premier leads the discussion of the main economic, social and political topics of the year, sets important targets and releases an annual report containing the main statistics, figures and economic indicators regarding growth and development. If you did not have the chance to follow this year's March Lianghui, the following list of buzzwords is a great opportunity to catch up!

Few markets have experienced changes in the way that China has over the past few decades.

China is made of many unique markets. Chinese consumers not only vary by geographical location but also by generation. The young in China receive a lot of airtime, and for good reasons; but there is a consumer group in China that many brands, products and services are missing.

Women power is nothing new in China. From Empress Cixi, ruler of the Qing Dynasty to Chairman Mao proclaiming that “women hold up half the sky,” females have long contributed to all aspects of life in the Middle Kingdom. In modern day China, their influence is ever-increasing. Supporting the growth of female power, Alibaba is currently hosting their inaugural Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship in Hangzhou. And rightly so, unlike many male-dominated tech companies globally, 40% of Alibaba’s employees are female.

WeChat or Wei Xin (微信 or wēixìn), the wonder kid of Chinese apps, is a major part of the ever-evolving app and social media landscape inside Mainland China. WeChat is now seen as one of the dominant ways to reach and interact with Chinese consumers, particularly on a personal level. A WeChat strategy is a vital part of an overall China marketing plan.

Happy 2015; we hope the year has started well for you. Unfortunately it wasn’t that way for some – our hearts go out to the friends and families of the 36 young Chinese who died during the New Year’s Eve celebrations on the Bund here in Shanghai.

China Skinny wishes you a happy 2015; we hope you saw it in with a bang! The beginning of the year is often a time to plan ahead for the following 12-months. Whether you are already in China, or entering this year, here are a few points to keep in mind: