At the enormous Pacific Department Store on Shanghai’s Huaihai Road, barriers block the street entrances and windows are shuttered. The store, which was one of the largest on one of the city’s busiest shopping streets for nearly two decades, closed in January. The shell of the store now sits incongruously opposite the K11 mall, which has been thriving ever since implementing a smart re-think of the shopping mall concept a couple of years ago. The lesson of the different fates of these two shopping centers is clear—adapt or die. Retail is not declining in China, it’s just changing.
Uber China Faces a Massive Challenge in the China Market
Doing business in China has never been easy for foreign-owned companies, but Uber has largely managed to avoid conflict by operating as a separate Chinese subsidiary, Uber China, on the mainland. However, Uber China still faces many challenges: competing with Didi, not being profitable, and even worse, its business has always been riding on a government regulation fence. In a market that is as challenging, and competitive as China’s, the answer to winning over China’s smartphone users lies deeper than just competitive pricing or partnerships.
How BAT and Xiaomi are investing in other companies
China’s internet world is ruled by three big players: Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent, collectively known as BAT. The three companies generated revenues of $20 billion in 2013 and $8.16 billion in the third quarter of 2014. The big three account for a significant, and perhaps disproportionate, share of China’s internet market. Another technology company that has risen to prominence pretty quickly is Xiaomi. BAT and Xiaomi are quickly making inroads into new areas outside their core business—by either investing in or acquiring companies. Take a look at the brand and companies that are backed by these four companies.
Mobile Wallets in China: Click to Pay
Mobile wallets are taking off in China but it is too early to say what they mean for the use of cash and bank cards.
My ‘App-y Life: Living Life Off Mobile Apps in China
Mobile apps in China have created a bubble in which people can get most of the things they need without stepping out of the comforts of their home
Ghost Malls in China: Where Have all the Shoppers Gone?
With the rise of e-commerce and more discerning consumers, the recent growth of malls in China risks becoming redundant.
Alibaba and the Rest: The Davids Vs. Goliath
With its huge scale and steps toward global dominance, can anyone rival Alibaba’s might in China’s e-commerce sector?
No Purchase Necessary: the Sharing Economy in China
The sharing economy has been threatening traditional industries in the West. Now it’s gaining a foothold in China.
O2O Primer: Online to Offline Commerce in China
Online to Offline commerce, or O2O, is being heralded as the next big thing in China’s e-commerce sector. Why is it so popular and who are the key players?
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