TikTok, Temu, and Shein are better in branding than most Western brands, argues branding expert Björn Ognibeni on his weblog. The result of this miscalculation is evident in performance differences: While many Asian platforms boast strong user retention and high time spent on site, Western providers are struggling with declining conversion rates and rising acquisition costs.Read More →

The China Speakers Bureau is happy to announce that Hamburg-based China expert Björn Ognibeni is joining its list of speakers. He has a past in analyzing global digital transformation, with a strong focus on China.Read More →

A silent exodus is taking place, as China’s youngsters migrate from the big cities to cheaper and more relaxed places in the country, like Dali in Yunnan, Chengdu in Sichuan, and Xiamen in Fujian, notes branding expert Ashley Dudarenok in the Jing Daily. What does this mean for the larger brands, she explains.Read More →

Starbucks sold 60 percent of its China business earlier this week, hoping that local input could help its operation. But Shanghai-based business analyst Ben Cavender sees that the US company still has major difficulties in cracking the Chinese market, he writes at WHTC.com.Read More →

Marketing guru Ashley Dudarenok dives into China’s B2B marketplaces and their latest key trends, including the top-10 platforms trying to get hold of the global market, at her website Chozan. “Trust is becoming a brand asset. Alibaba’s Trade Assurance, DHgate’s escrow, and Yiwugo’s secure payments provide buyers with additional protection. Video reviews, verified supplier programs, and standardization efforts help reduce fraud while ensuring shipments clear customs smoothly,” she writes.Read More →

Marketing expert Ashley Dudarenok explains the difference between TikTok and its Chinese sister Douyin at her website Chozan. In 2025, Douyin was named China’s most valuable brand, with a valuation of US$105.8 billion. That marked a 26% increase from the previous year, driven by the platform’s deep integration into everyday digital life. In March 2025, Douyin reached 1 billion monthly active users in China. What exactly is Douyin?Read More →

Consultant Gabor Holch looks at the efforts of Urban Revivo to take on international competition by opening. just like Zara, opening a major store in London. Gabor Holch, founder of East-West Leadership, a consultancy, predicted social and environmental issues, political issues, and data could also prove to be hurdles for Urban Revivo, he said, at Market Screener.Read More →

Arthur Kroeber, author of  China’s Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know, discusses the state of China’s current economy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on September 9. “So there are a lot of problems. It’s not vibrant from a consumer standpoint. But from a productive standpoint, there’s a lot that’s going right,” he says, according to Social News XYZ.Read More →