The Impulso Podcast E131: Laopu Gold: the Cartier of China?
Laopu Gold is shaking up what it means to be a Chinese luxury brand. From heritage-inspired designs to fixed pricing that defies the traditional “by-weight” gold shop model, the brand has carved out a premium niche that’s turning heads.
In 2024, Laopu’s revenue jumped 167% year-on-year, six times higher than in 2021. But what’s behind this meteoric rise?
Tune in as Sabrina and Elody unpack:
How Laopu reinvented itself from a traditional gold retailer into a modern luxury house;
Why Xiaohongshu has been central to its popularity;
The “national wave” of Chinese heritage brands, and how Laopu fits right in;
What its overseas push, starting with Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, says about its global ambitions.
Will Laopu really become “the Cartier of China”? Let’s find out.
Timestamps:
00:00:54 – From gold trader to luxury brand: the founder’s story
00:01:36 – Why Laopu went viral on Xiaohongshu
00:02:14 – Breaking tradition: fixed pricing vs. by-weight gold
00:03:49 – Going global: Laopu’s Marina Bay Sands store
00:07:57 – The ‘national wave’ and rise of Chinese heritage brands
Featured materials:
E103: Behind the Labubu craze: PopMart business explained
E124: Labubu makes no sense - and that’s why it sells