Retail

China Consumer 2024, which took place on 14 October at London’s 4 Hamilton Place, saw over 200 delegates in attendance as brands and entrepreneurs joined expert speakers to understand the latest news, trends and opportunities in China’s growing consumer market CBBC’s newly appointed Chief Executive Peter Burnett opened the event, stating that China will be the single largest growing consumer market by 2030 and will contribute 40% of the worldwide …

Traditional Chinese festive occasions like Mid-Autumn Festival represent an important opportunity for brands. But with consumer trends around Chinese festivals evolving, how can brands keep their marketing relevant? Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on 17 September this year, is one of many occasions in the Chinese calendar that brands need to keep an eye on. Beyond their cultural significance, national holidays are also important drivers of consumption, marking rises in spending… …

China Consumer remains CBBC’s flagship consumer event and is a must-attend for any UK brand interested in making its mark in the Chinese market. With China undoubtedly a powerful engine for global growth, the country is emerging as a test lab for the future, with future global trends in retail, marketing and commerce sown and grown in China’s vast and highly sophisticated consumer marketplace.   With leading expert speakers and global brand representatives speaking on topics ranging from sustainability to rising consumer industries and …

In a bid to strengthen its consumer economy and boost its global influence, Shanghai is offering brands that open their first store in Asia (or indeed the world) in Shanghai a one-time reward of RMB 1 million (about £111,000). High-quality product launches and debut exhibitions held in the city will also have access to subsidies of up to RMB 1.2 million. The incentive is part of the “First in Shanghai” …

Providing consumers with an ‘experience’ is essential for brands entering and operating in China. This was one of the key messages from CBBC’s most recent China Chat event, which took place on 25 October 2023 at CBBC member Sybarite’s London offices Now that China is firmly free from the spectre of Covid controls, brands in China and the UK are naturally asking questions about the current state of the China… …

Focus speaks to Simon Mitchell, co-founder of global design studio Sybarite, about the future of retail in China Simon co-founded Sybarite with Torquil McIntosh in 2002, since which time they have delivered nearly 3,000 projects, including retail and experiential concepts, and designs for notable brands and retail operators of varying scales, from monobrands through to master planning. Their successful repositioning of the Shin Kong Place mall to ‘SKP’ in China …

Ahead of China Consumer 2023, Focus speaks to Michael Ward, Managing Director of Harrods, about being the first department store in Europe to embrace Chinese payment methods such as Alipay, and infusing creativity into the brand’s digital interactions Tell us more about how Harrods entered the China market At Harrods, we have been actively involved in the Chinese market for over 10 years, building strong relationships with Chinese customers both… …

China is the world’s second largest luxury market thanks to a rising middle class and many high net worth individuals (HNWIs) with huge disposable incomes. It also has a growing number of millennials and Gen Z consumers with a considerable interest in premium and luxury brands. Hawksford’s Fabio Stella and Dario Marotta explore the opportunities for luxury brands China’s luxury market has bounced back following the reopening of the country’s… …

If your brand is looking to open its first store in China, or open a flagship, this may be the perfect time to do it. Kristina Koehler-Coluccia from Woodburn Accounts & Advisors explains the financial and commercial incentives that are now available to brands open to focusing on Beijing In March, the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, together with nine other government bureaus in Beijing, announced the continuation of financial support… …

Chloé Reuter, founding partner and CEO of luxury consulting business Gusto Luxe, on the present and future of the luxury market in China, going digital, and why UK brands need to prepare for the return of Chinese travellers Strict travel restrictions and quarantines, harsh lockdowns and political tensions, not to mention the absence (until mid-August 2022) of direct UK-China flights, have led many British luxury brands to question their investments… …