On a Friday afternoon in early March, nearly a thousand people queued outside Tencent’s headquarters in Shenzhen to get a piece of software installed on …
Continue ReadingIs Asia Still Worth It for Export by Consumer Goods Brands?
If you have spent any time in international trade conversations over the past 18 months, you will have noticed a shift in tone. The question …
Continue ReadingUS Retail Entry for International Brands: The $100 Million Masterplan
The United States is the biggest consumer market in the world. It is also where ambitious international brands go to either scale properly or burn …
Continue ReadingPangdonglai Secrets to Success and Why Brands Should Care
In the sprawling landscape of Chinese retail, few stories are as compelling (or as instructive) as that of Pangdonglai. Despite its low global profile, this …
Continue ReadingSucceeding in China means moving from gambling to strategy
Succeeding in China is a plan (or a dream) for many brands. The market is huge and the numbers sound staggering on the face of …
Continue ReadingYakult in Southeast Asia: Why Slow & Steady Wins the Race
In conversations about success in Southeast Asia, you could be forgiven for thinking that the only success factor is speed. The same phrases come up …
Continue ReadingSecrets to Thriving in Vietnam’s Consumer Goods Market
When people talk about Vietnam’s consumer goods market, it is tempting to jump straight into growth figures, middle-class expansion and retail formats. But markets are …
Continue ReadingWhen Distributor Performance Metrics Reveal Loyalty Is a Liability
There comes a point in every export manager’s life when gut feel isn’t enough – the distributor who once fuelled your growth starts slipping on …
Continue ReadingThe Rise of Chagee: How a Premium Tea Brand Became a Global Contender
If you’ve been following the Asian beverage scene, you’ve probably noticed the rise of Chagee … and no, it’s not just a Chinese fad. In …
Continue ReadingSeoulful Solutions for Exporting Food and Drinks to South Korea
Exporting food and drinks to South Korea can be both an exciting and bewildering experience. The country’s consumers are discerning, its retailers fast-moving, and its …
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