Forget e-commerce. In today’s China, the smartest businesses are moving the digital revolution into the offline world as the boundaries between online and offline become increasingly blurred. The integration of information technology into our daily lives is allowing companies to apply advanced big data techniques to transform a range of industries previously considered relatively impervious to digital disruption. For businesses across nearly every sector, the key to future success now lies in three areas: data, smart systems and the sharing economy.
No Easy Rides: DCM Ventures’ Ramon Zeng on How Chinese Startups Manage to Thrive
The Chinese internet industry has developed at an amazing speed with a number of tech firms becoming “unicorns” worldwide. A major force behind those fast-growing companies and young CEOs is the venture capital firms who play a crucial role in spotting and supporting innovative models. Over the past 10 years, VC has evolved from a non-mainstream form of finance to one of the hottest areas in the Middle Kingdom. Ramon Zeng, with a number of successful investments in “unicorns”, talks about his observation of the industry and what the next big trend will be.
Will e-Commerce Replace Brick-and-Mortar Stores?
After incredible growth in recent years, e-commerce in China seems to be slowing down. One reason behind this is the high penetration rate. By 2016, 62% people in Tier 3 and 4 cities were shopping online, while the number in Tier 1 and 2 cities stood at 89%. On the other hand, consumers in China have also changed over time, now the middle class are shifting their money from cheap products to premium services and goods where experience and recognition ties take priority. So does it mean online retail will go gloomy and physical stores may return to the spotlight?
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.
The Online Sector in China: When Rivals Work Together
In 2014 rival taxi apps Didi Dache and Kuaidi Dache engaged in a fierce price war that left onlookers stunned. According to multiple sources, Didi and Kuaidi altogether splashed over RMB 2 billion (approx. $376 million) on subsidizing customer ride fares. Yet in early 2015, the two bitter rivals announced their decision to merge. It made little sense. They couldn’t possibly have buried the hatchet that soon. Cases like Didi-Kuaidi are becoming common in China’s internet industry, spanning areas like online travel, group buying and classified advertisement websites. Why is China’s online sector witnessing a series of frenzied mergers, acquisitions and partnerships between sworn rivals?
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.
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