The Negotiation

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, we're excited to have Crystal Tai, Senior Managing Editor at Jing Daily, rejoin us for a deep dive into evolving fashion and lifestyle trends in China.  Jing Daily is the premier source for insights into China's digital consumption trends and luxury market, and Crystal brings her extensive expertise back to our listeners, offering a fresh perspective on what's currently shaping the market. Crystal brings us up to speed on the burgeoning popularity of Canadian athleisure and winterwear brands within China. She discusses the impressive traction gained by giants like Lululemon, Canada Goose, and Arc’teryx, alongside smaller players such as Rudsak and Nobis. Her recent analysis sheds light on how the changing lifestyles of Chinese consumers are driving demand in this space. She also explores whether functionality trumps fashion in this sector and what this burgeoning demand signifies for Canadian brands across other market segments. Moreover, Crystal provides an exclusive overview of five fashion trends poised to dominate 2024, offering valuable insights for brands aiming to connect with Chinese consumers. From the revival of “Chinese style” to trends like Asian Baby Girl, Kidulthood, Quiet Luxury, and the nostalgic return of Y2K fashion, she unpacks the cultural shifts and societal changes driving these trends. Each trend reflects a nuanced understanding of the evolving priorities among Chinese consumers, underscoring the importance for brands to stay ahead of the curve. Additionally, Crystal shares her latest findings on Chinese tourism and travel consumption trends. With over a year passed since the lifting of Covid restrictions, she paints a vivid picture of the current tourism market in China. Where are Chinese tourists heading, and what motivates their travel choices now? Crystal's reporting offers a comprehensive look at the post-pandemic recovery of the tourism sector and the new destinations capturing the imagination of Chinese travellers. Join host Todd Embley and Crystal Tai for this insightful conversation, exploring the intersection of culture, lifestyle, and consumer behaviour in China's dynamic market.  Whether you're a brand looking to navigate the complexities of the Chinese market or simply keen on understanding the latest trends, this episode promises a wealth of knowledge and intriguing discussions. Key Discussion Points·      The increasing popularity of Canadian athleisure and winterwear brands in China·      The impact of changing lifestyles on consumer preferences in China·      The balance between functionality and fashion in the athleisure and winterwear market·      The significance of Canadian brands in China and their influence across various sectors·      An overview of Jing Daily as a premier source for luxury, retail, and lifestyle trends in China·      The five fashion trends set to shape 2024 and their reflection on societal changes in China·      The revival of the "new Chinese style" and its cultural implications·      Insights into trends such as Asian Baby Girl, Kidulthood, Quiet Luxury, and Y2K fashion·      The evolution of Chinese tourism and travel consumption post-Covid restrictions·      Destination preferences among Chinese tourists and the motivations behind their travel choices

In this episode of The Negotiation, Todd sits down with Filip Zieliński, a seasoned entrepreneur and long-time China resident with a wealth of experience across various industries, including green energy, tech, F&B, retail, and education.The conversation starts with a deep dive into China’s booming green energy space. Filip has had a front-row seat to China’s EV revolution - shaking up the global auto industry - through his work for Green Cell, a leading green battery company. Filip also shares details on his latest venture, which aims to help Chinese students gain admission to top global universities. He breaks down how China’s engagement with international education has changed in recent years with the disruptions of the pandemic and a more mature “consumer” of international education opportunities.Finally, we deep dive into China’s rapidly evolving startup ecosystem. Filip has an optimistic view of China’s start-up scene and highlights several sectors primed for significant growth, especially in biotech and hard tech. Listeners will find much to learn from Filip's fascinating business journey in China.Topics Discussed and Key Points: A glimpse into China's green energy and education sectors.The allure of Shenzhen and China's diverse local business environments.Green Cell and the electric vehicle revolution in China.Entrepreneurial challenges in China's education sector.Thriving industries in China, including biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, and battery production for electric vehicles.The evolution of retail technology in China.Global immigration through startup visas.The role of intensive preparatory services.Data-driven decision making in college applications.The power of networking in education.

In this episode of The Negotiation, we welcome back to the show, Charles Lavoie, VP of Marketing & Head of Creative Labs at WPIC Marketing & Technologies and longtime guest of the pod. In our conversation, we explore the transformation that China's e-commerce scene has witnessed due to the rise of Douyin, which has provided global brands with a new platform to connect with Chinese consumers We examine how Douyin fostered consumer trust by initially incentivizing local brands to lower their prices, gradually cultivating a habit of buying through the app. As trust in the platform increased, larger international brands joined the mix. Today, Douyin hosts not just discounted items, but serves as a launching pad for innovative brand initiatives and drives substantial revenue. Charles dives deep into how the brand strategy on Douyin differs from Tmall and the comparative advantages of each platform. Our discussion also touches on Little Red Book Pinduoduo, and how these platforms reshape brand strategy.  Finally, Charles also explains why a comparable video-driven social commerce platform has not emerged in the West. Enjoy this insightful conversation on some of the most significant trends in China's retail marketing landscape!   Topics Discussed and Key Points: ●      Rise of Douyin●      The difficulties of growing Douyin-like platforms in the West●      Most successful product categories on Douyin●      The process for brand store setup and operation on Douyin●      Marketing on Tmall vs. Douyin●      Livestreaming and influencer collaboration on Tmall vs Douyin●      Keyword bidding and consumer intent●      Attribution in closed ecosystems: Understanding consumer behaviour, tracking data importance●      The rise of micro-influencers in China●      The impact of Little Red Book●      The culture of excessive discounting in China●      Pinduoduo and brand strategy: platform potential, consumer behaviour, collaboration strategies●      Impact of AI on search engines●      Lesser-known platforms and trends in China

We dive into the evolving e-commerce and consumer trends in China for 2024, starting with analyzing the performance and tactics of leading e-commerce giants like Douyin, Pinduoduo, Taobao, and Tmall. What drove ByteDance's revenue growth of 30% to $110 billion? How is Pinduoduo's western-facing discount platform Temu adding to its incredible growth, if at all? And where does all of this leave Alibaba, the darling of e-commerce in China for over a decade?Our discussion also touches on the influence of changing consumption patterns and consumer confidence on the market dynamics. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of China's digital commerce landscape. Enjoy!Topics Discussed and Key Points:Overview of China's e-commerce landscapeMajor e-commerce platforms in ChinaThe rise of video in e-commerceSocial shopping and group buying trendsEstablished marketplaces and their innovationsChanging consumption norms in ChinaConsumer confidence factorsPredictions for the future of e-commerce in China

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are thrilled to feature Andrew Methven, author of the Slow Chinese newsletter, one of the leading resources for keeping up to date with modern Mandarin language trends. Andrew's journey from a planetary science graduate to a Chinese language enthusiast is as fascinating as it is unconventional. Facing limited career prospects in space exploration, he embarked on an overland journey from London to Australia, including a detour in China that ended up lasting one year.Fascinated by his experience in China, Andrew moved to Taiwan after a stint in Australia and immersed himself in learning Mandarin. His journey led him back to the UK, where he pursued a master's degree in Chinese translation and linguistics. Today, Andrew's career is closely linked to China, and he uses the Slow Chinese newsletter to practice and maintain his language skills.Sign up for the Slow Chinese newsletter HERE! In our conversation, Andrew shares his unconventional language-learning journey. He discusses the challenges of learning Chinese, including the lack of resources and opportunities in the UK and other Western countries. Andrew also emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural context and history behind the language. He shares how his newsletter aims to provide this context through language learning—and specifically keeping up with modern language trends, which reflect broader social trends in China. He also explains some of the popular memes that have captivated the Chinese internet in recent years. It’s a fascinating discussion on a fascinating language—and how those who are learning Mandarin as a second language can hone their skills to understand China better.Topics Discussed and Key PointsAndrew's unconventional path to learning ChineseDecline in Mandarin language education in the UK and Western countriesChallenges of learning Chinese due to distance and lack of accessibilityLack of promotion and understanding of the importance of learning about China and ChineseImportance of understanding cultural context and history in language learningChallenges of understanding connotations and intentions behind Chinese words and phrasesFocus on connecting language to different types of contexts in the newsletterInteresting cultural references and memes, including during recent Halloween celebrations in China

In this episode of The Negotiation, we're delighted to speak with Claire Urry, Chief Commercial Officer at the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), the premier British organization dedicated to fostering trade and investment between the UK and China. Calling in from the picturesque English town of Horncastle, Claire gives a detailed breakdown of the UK and China’s robust trading relationship, which has benefited British businesses and communities across the country.  Claire explains the pivotal role of the CBBC in promoting UK-China trade, including providing support to British businesses looking to export to China. As a part of that service offering, Claire was recently in Shanghai to attend CIIE and FHC alongside a large delegation of British businesses. Claire shares her observations from the trade shows as well as her takeaways from her first visit to Shanghai in four years.  Our conversation also touches on the British sectors ripe for growth in China; the factors that explain the success of several British brands in China; and the sentiment of British business and government elites towards China. Enjoy! Topics Discussed and Key Points●      Claire's recent experiences in Shanghai and her impressions of the city.●      The role and impact of the CBBC.●      Opportunities and challenges in the Chinese market.●      Growth sectors in China, including health and wellness, beauty and personal care, fashion, sports and leisure, and home and lifestyle.●      Successful strategies of UK brands in China, focusing on strong brand narratives and authenticity.●      The resonance of food and drink brands with Chinese consumers.●      The relationship between politics and UK-China business dynamics, and the imperative of maintaining a strong, cooperative partnership.

In this episode of The Negotiation, we sit down with Denni Hu, a Shanghai-based journalist for Women's Wear Daily (WWD), a premier fashion industry publication. Our discussion with Denni covers a range of topics, including the latest fashion, consumer, and lifestyle trends in China. We delve into Denni’s career path, the expansion of luxury brands in China, and the intriguing interplay between fashion and food in China's cafe pop-ups. The conversation also touches on the increasing popularity of certain sports and lifestyle trends, the widespread acceptance of yoga pants as everyday wear, and the emergence of Chinese fashion designers on the global stage. Additionally, we explore the concept store boom, the impact of user-generated content on brand promotion, and the strength of domestic brands and designers in the beauty and fashion sectors in China. Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      The resilience and growth of luxury brands in China amidst economic challenges.●      The dynamics of China's retail market.●      The innovative fusion of fashion and food in China's cafe pop-ups.●      Trends in sports and lifestyle, including the normalization of yoga pants as everyday attire in China.●      The rising global popularity of Chinese fashion designers.●      The influence of user-generated content and social media on the fashion industry in China.●      The investments needed to cultivate a brand's aura.●      The growing prominence of domestic brands and designers in China’s fashion and beauty sectors.

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to feature Heidi Dugan, Chair of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AustCham).  Heidi joins the show at a critical juncture in Australian-China relations. After several years of frosty ties, Canberra and Beijing are taking steps to normalize the bilateral relationship—most notably by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese making a state visit to China earlier in November. Heidi discusses the work AustCham did around the state visit and the China International Import Expo (CIIE), as well as the broader efforts they are making to improve Australian-China relations.  With relations warming, Heidi speaks about her optimism for better trade and investment between Australia and China. She pinpoints key growth sectors for Australian businesses in China, including health and wellness, education, and cosmetics.  Having lived in China for nearly 30 years, Heidi also shares her insights on why Chinese consumers think so highly of Australian consumer brands.  This is a fascinating conversation with one of the most prominent Australian business leaders in China.  Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      An introduction to the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) in Shanghai.●      The crucial role of storytelling in brand development and investment in the Chinese market.●      Exploring growth opportunities in sectors such as medical equipment, health and wellness, education, and cosmetics in China.●      Insights into the sentiment among Australian business leaders towards China.●      A detailed look at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and Australia's involvement.●      The impact of Singles Day on Australian brands and the evolving maturity of the Chinese consumer market.

In this episode of The Negotiation, we're thrilled to feature Jing Zhang, a renowned fashion journalist and consultant. Jing currently serves as the Global Editor in Chief of Jing Daily, the leading publication on luxury and fashion trends in China.The health of the Chinese consumer has been hotly debated throughout 2023—conflicting market signals have given oxygen to bulls and bears alike. On one hand, luxury spending is up, but pressures on the housing market have led to increased savings and less spending on large durables. So what’s really going on, and how can brands adapt?In this episode, Jing brings her expert insights to the table to shed light on the priorities of Chinese consumers in this new landscape.Our conversation touches on many topics, beginning with Jing’s unexpected journey into fashion journalism. Jing then shares her assessment of Chinese consumer confidence and how consumer preferences have shifted. We also explore the rise of domestic beauty brands, the gradual recovery of the tourism industry, and the impact of mental health on Chinese consumer trends. Jing offers her insights into the Chinese fashion industry, the repercussions of the pandemic, and the evolving nature of Chinese consumerism.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding Chinese lifestyle and consumer trends.Topics Discussed and Key Points:Chinese consumer confidence in 2023Factors influencing consumer confidenceWinners and losers in China's luxury market for 2023Spending and lifestyle trends among young consumersThe effect of mental health on young consumersThe emergence of domestic brands and designersThe pandemic's impact on luxury brands and tourismComparing e-commerce and offline channels in luxury spending

Welcome to our landmark 200th episode of The Negotiation Podcast! The last four years have been rich with meaningful discussions, profound insights, and memorable moments—and we’re excited about what the future will bring.In this celebratory episode, we are delighted to host the co-founders of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, Jacob and Joseph Cooke. We delve into WPIC's impressive expansion in China, particularly their new office in Shanghai, and reminisce about the company's significant growth since the podcast was launched four years agoWe further explore the evolution of e-commerce in China, spotlighting the surging popularity of live-streaming sales and the increasing diversification of the sector. The Cooke brothers candidly share their experiences navigating the pandemic and how it acted as a catalyst in shifting the world more towards e-commerce. We also touch upon the future horizons and expansion blueprints for WPIC.Thank you for being part of this journey, and here's to many more enlightening episodes!Topics Discussed and Key Points:Commemorating the 200th episode milestoneA look back at WPIC Marketing + Technologies last four yearsUnveiling of WPIC's new office in ShanghaiDelving into the evolution and dynamics of China's e-commerce sceneWPIC's expansion into Japan and Southeast AsiaAssessing the pandemic's influence on WPIC and the e-commerce transitionA sneak peek into exciting news and upcoming endeavours for the podcast