Chinese consumers change swiftly, and brands must react just as quickly. The German leather goods brand MCM understands this. To celebrate their latest Autumn/Winter collection, and as part of the Tmall Super Brand Day initiative, MCM built a giant playground inside of their flagship store in Shanghai’s iAMP mall, transforming the entire space into an […]
Monthly Archives: July 2019
3 Unique Features of China’s New Retail
Coined in 2017 by the founder of China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba, Jack Ma, the concept of ‘new retail’ has proven to be revolutionary. Put simply, it’s about how the consumer’s shopping journey is no longer defined as either online or offline but is now simultaneously both. Much has been written about how shopping in China […]
The Latest Enemy of Brands in China? Fake Followers
In an increasingly digital country like China, the Wanghong (网红) economy — a digital economy based on influencer marketing in social media — has proved to be a very lucrative business for KOLs and influencers. Considering the country has over 750 million internet users, and the youngest generation of luxury consumers is pushing for a […]
Little Red Book Suspended from Android Store
The much-hyped social commerce platform Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu) has been reportedly suspended from the Android store since yesterday, July 29. A search for the app on the Android Store indicates that its “temporarily not available,” though it’s still accessible on the Apple store. A spokesperson from Red responded that they are actively investigating the […]
China’s Consumers Want ‘Lucky Luxury’
Even though Marxism has promoted pragmatism and materialism for nearly a century in China, superstition still runs deep in everyday Chinese life. China’s luxury-buying millennials and the aspirational class maintain a stubborn and firmly entrenched belief that buying premium goods is a ticket to a higher status, and the country’s current work-hard-buy-harder culture has elevated […]
LVMH Lauds 2019 Financial Results, But Remains Cautiously Optimistic
Off a record year in 2018, in which it logged €46.8 billion in revenue, luxury giant LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) released their 2019 first half results on July 24. Despite other luxury retailers suffering the effects of a slowing economy in China, LVMH recorded an 12 percent increase in overall organic growth year-over-year, […]
AI is the Only Way to Win Chinese Millennials and Gen Zers
On a recent flight from Shanghai’s Pudong airport to Hong Kong, I noticed that almost all the younger travelers around me were dressed in Gucci, Balenciaga, Off-White, or Burberry, all showcasing the logos prominently. I spotted several Dior and Hermès handbags and several gold watches by Audemars Piguet and Patek Phillippe. And all of it […]
Breaking Down Louis Vuitton’s Remarkable Reign in China
Bain & Co. points out that China’s luxury market registered “a second straight year of 20 percent growth in 2018,” which accounts for one-third ($294 billion) of the global market. But in a country that’s now oversaturated with luxury brands, only a few can perform well while others are sure to fall behind. Louis Vuitton […]
JD.com Opens Luxury Experience Center in China
In “Chinese Whispers,” we share the biggest news stories about the luxury industry in China that have yet to make it into the English language. In this week’s edition, we discuss: JD.com’s first luxury experience center, A ranking of brand ambassador ROI for luxury brands in China, and Dior’s online boutique store in China 1. […]
Swan 48 Sailing Yachts Sold to Owners in Japan, Australia
Owners in Japan and Australia are among the first 16 buyers of the Swan 48, a stunning sales figure confirmed three months before the sailing yacht’s world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 10-15. The respective yachts will be on display at the Japan International Boat Show next March and the Sydney International […]