The Impulso Podcast

In this discussion, Sam Hon, the founder and CEO of CREX, and Shaolin Zheng, co-founder and CTO of NextBillion.ai, dive into the complexities of carbon accounting and its significance for modern businesses. They explain how integrating sustainability can actually enhance operational efficiency. The conversation also covers the challenges companies face in aligning their management goals with carbon reduction strategies, and highlights the pivotal role of data in driving sustainability practices for the future.

Starbucks' leadership shake-up has stirred up discussions about its future. With Brian Niccol stepping in as CEO, listeners explore the historical challenges of leadership succession at the coffee giant. The podcast dives into the competitive landscape in China, especially against rising rival Luckin Coffee. It also tackles the effect of geopolitical issues on sales and brand perception. Expect insights on navigating organizational culture, the struggles of maintaining strategies, and the unique complexities faced by successors of iconic founders.

Chagee has made a triumphant return to Singapore, drawing huge crowds and long queues. A recent poll suggests many expect them to dominate the bubble tea market. The discussion dives into what sets Chagee apart from competitors and whether Luckin Coffee is copying their model. Insights into the challenges faced by food and beverage brands in Southeast Asia reveal cultural nuances and logistical hurdles. The rise of Chinese F&B brands and their innovative strategies are also explored, highlighting the booming bubble tea culture in the region.

Luckin Coffee has celebrated a significant milestone by opening its 20,000th store in Beijing! This expansion is fueled by an innovative, data-driven approach to store placement. The podcast discusses how the company contrasts traditional methods with technology and efficiency in coffee-making. Listeners will learn about China's largest coffee processing facility and Luckin's creative branding strategies. It also touches on the competitive landscape in Singapore's food and beverage market and the evolving consumer preferences in Southeast Asia.

The podcast delves into Delivery Hero’s tumultuous journey post-Baemin acquisition. It highlights Baemin's market share loss to rivals like Coupang Eats and the fallout from a CEO resignation. Listeners gain insights into the competitive landscape across Southeast Asia, with discussions on pricing issues and consumer dissatisfaction. Leadership challenges in various markets are also explored, revealing the complexities of global expansion. The conversation wraps up with a look at strategies to revive brand dynamics in a cutthroat food delivery industry.

Exploring the booming e-commerce landscape in Southeast Asia, recent findings reveal a staggering GMV growth to $114.6 billion. TikTok Shop is emerging as a key player, challenging traditional giants like Shopee and Tokopedia. Temu's strategic entrance raises questions about its impact on logistics and competition, especially in Indonesia. Insightful discussions also highlight the thrilling concept of live commerce and its potential to reshape shopping experiences in the region.

Amazon's new initiative targets low-cost, unbranded items from China, aiming to rival Temu and SHEIN. Inside information reveals a closed-door seller meeting underscored by cultural secrecy and exclusivity. Discussion highlights challenges in optimizing logistics for international sellers and contrasts Amazon's approach with Temu's consignment model. Skepticism looms over Amazon's ability to compete successfully, echoing historical rivalries, while the uncertain impact of this strategy raises questions about the future of e-commerce.

Wei Han, a leader at Momentum Works with expertise in Southeast Asian e-commerce, dives into the intriguing dynamics of China's 618 shopping festival. The conversation unpacks the puzzling drop in gross merchandise value, raising questions about consumer confidence. Wei addresses conflicting reports on sales growth, navigates the competitive landscape of giants like JD.com and Alibaba, and discusses evolving trends such as pre-sales. With the backdrop of shifting consumer behaviors, this chat provides a gripping overview of the complexities in China's bustling e-commerce market.

Gavin Tan, a lawyer turned fintech founder with extensive experience in scaling high-growth companies in Southeast Asia, discusses the dynamic landscape of fintech. He highlights the shift from traditional e-wallets to super apps and explores the significant growth in fintech funding, with 41% of tech investment directed at digital financial services. Gavin also addresses challenges like customer acquisition costs and regulatory complexities, while offering insights into the evolving real-time payments infrastructure in the region.

Last week, Temu joined its competitors - Shopee, Aliexpress, and SHEIN - in Brazil, marking its presence in 70 countries.  This expansion comes despite recent legislation imposing a 20% additional tax on cross-border e-commerce parcels below $50 in value (in addition to the 17% ICMS already charged). What makes Brazil such a hot market for so many cross-border e-commerce companies? And what unique challenges do they face operating in Brazil? Tune in as we delve into Temu’s recent entry into brazil, and where Temu might venture next.  Featured article:  Temu has launched in Brazil, despite all the challenges, TheLowDown Southeast Asia & Latin America: Learning the digital emerging markets playbook, Momentum Works  E48: Jon Russell and Aulia Masna on TikTok-GoTo deal, The Impulso Podcast