The Impulso Podcast

Is Shanghai mirroring Singapore's nutritional labelling approach?    Recently, Bawang Tea Ji's (Chagee) Shanghai store has introduced a "Nutritional Choice" logo on all its beverages - a first for freshly-made drinks in China. This mirrors Singapore's Nutri-Grade ratings (A to D), implemented by the Health Promotion Board, from December 2022, which were introduced to increase consumers' awareness, and help them make healthier choices.    But do these labels actually change consumer habits? And are they a hindrance to the bubble tea business, or do they push for product innovation?   Tune into our latest episode for a light-hearted discussion on the impact of these nutri-grades on consumer habits and business operations.  Featured materials Who is Mixue?, Momentum Works  Bubble tea in Southeast Asia, Momentum Works

Last night, Sea group published their 2023 Q4 and FY results, announcing its first profitable year. The market had mixed feelings - stock price fluctuated the first trading day post-results, and eventually closed with a 5% increase in share prices.    During the earnings call, Sea executives reiterated the group's dedication to deepening its moat in the region to maintain its position as a market leader in the region. But what exactly is its moat?   Join us in this latest episode as we delve into Sea Group's latest financial results, investor reactions, and explore the rationale behind Shopee's confidence in its guidance of a high teens growth rate, even in the ever-changing ecommerce landscape in the region.

In Luckin Coffee’s latest 2023 Q4 report, the company revealed that it opened 2,975 stores in Q4 - almost 1,000 stores every month.    The report also unveiled that Luckin has overtaken Starbucks in terms of sales in China. But is Starbucks genuinely their primary competitor in China? If not, who holds the title of Luckin's main competitor in China?   In this episode, we are joined by our in-house coffee expert, Weihan. Together, we dive into: The rationale and methodologies driving the rapid expansions of both Luckin and Cotti; Luckin’s success in digitalisation and data collection, as well as the feasibility of other brands replicating such a model; Some key considerations for coffee (or F&B) brands as they expand out of China into Southeast Asia.  Featured materials: Coffee in Southeast Asia, Momentum Works Sip, Innovate, Repeat: Immersive Workshop, Momentum Academy We did a poll with 1,300 community members on Luckin’s performance in Singapore, TheLowDown Luckin’s latest Singapore outlet mirrors its China stores, TheLowDown “Disgraced” Luckin founder started a new coffee chain in China, TheLowDown

Grab recently published their 2023 Q4 and FY results, and during its earnings call, COO Alex Hungate confirmed that Grab is not pursuing acquiring FoodPanda. This aligns with Delivery Hero, FoodPanda’s parent, announcement earlier last week that acquisition talks for Foodpanda in Southeast Asia had collapsed.   Why did Grab give up on the potential acquisition of FoodPanda? Was the €1 billion price tag for FoodPanda (that German media quoted) not the "right price" for Grab?   Tune into this latest episode where we dive into the considerations behind Grab’s decision, examine the complexities of mergers and acquisitions, and discuss what’s next for Foodpanda in the region.    Featured materials: Grab is buying back shares, but not Foodpanda? Our thoughts on Grab’s 2023 Q4 and Full Year results Food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia 2024

China's live commerce industry is not just big—it's a trillion-dollar powerhouse with a vast ecosystem, encompassing MCNs, enablers, logistics, and more.    With only a month away from Momentum Works upcoming live commerce immersion in Shenzhen, China (where participants will have will visit/meet key players in this ecosystem), we wanted to address some common questions we’ve received from interested participants, as well as share insights into the ecosystem and trends of live commerce in China.    Tune into this latest episode where we uncover the driving forces behind China's live commerce boom, explore its potential in the US and Southeast Asia, and contemplate the future and influence of AI in this space.    Featured materials: Live Commerce Immersion, Momentum Academy Live commerce in Southeast Asia report, Momentum Works How did this company reach $280m sales in Live commerce?, The Low Down  Why are AI virtual hosts not yet dominant in live commerce?, The Low Down

Omar Kassim joins us in the latest episode of the Impulso podcast in a candid discussion about the current dynamics of the venture and investment ecosystem in the Middle East.    With over a decade of experiences in venture and investment in the region, Omar has many insights into the appealing yet mysterious market and ecosystem of the Middle East.    Join us as we dive into: How the two major economies, UAE and Saudi Arabia differentiate in their strategy and compete with each other The Middle East’s investment and venture capital landscapes The unique challenges faced by both local and global companies operating in the region The region's potential for growth and development

Last Wednesday (31 Jan), Momentum Works held our online briefing “In focus: Food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia 2024” where we covered global developments, key events, and trends within the food delivery landscape in this region.    During the event, there were also many questions asked, and we've addressed them in this episode. Here are some highlights:  Will we see Deliveroo or Doordash enter SEA? With the rise in platforms take rate, can we expect a resurgence in dining out? Why is the Philippines considered a special case?   Featured materials:  In focus: food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia, Momentum Works E57 - The Impulso Podcast: [In focus] Food delivery in Southeast Asia 2024, Momentum Works Food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia 2024, Momentum Works

Meituan has had a very challenging 2023, with its falling share price and intense competition from both Douyin and Pinduoduo.    Last Friday (2 Feb), Meituan founder and CEO, Wang Xing, announced in an internal email an organisational restructuring that will integrate a number of businesses related to core local commerce and further raise the priority of technology and internationalisation-related businesses.    Notably, as part of the restructuring, CEO Wang Xing announced that he will directly oversee overseas operations and drone delivery.    Tune in to the latest episode of the Impulso Podcast, as we explore the strategic changes made by Meituan and its implications, as well as draw comparisons with Alibaba's own restructuring efforts.    Featured materials:  Meituan CEO Takes Over Overseas Business as China Sales Wane, Bloomberg Food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia 2024, Momentum Works Transforming Alibaba, Momentum Works Why does Alibaba replace Taobao CEO?, the Impulso Podcast Seeing the Unseen: Behind Chinese Tech Giants' Global Venturing, Guoli Chen and Jianggan Li

Momentum Works recently launched our 4th annual Food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia report and following the launch we also held an online sharing where we explored global developments, key events, and trends within the food delivery landscape in this region.   Some highlights of the event:  Doordash outperforms its international peers in capital markets while Meituan has its most challenging year since IPO Despite the recovery of F&B in the region, premium brands still face challenges Chinese F&B brands enter Southeast Asia en masse, bringing with them their methodologies Major players have made significant improvements in profitability, and have shifted their focus to balancing growth and profitability Where can platforms find growth amid flat topline growth Will TikTok enter the food delivery scene in SEA   Featured materials:  Food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia 2024, Momentum Works

In the past few weeks, a poster has been circulating in the seller community outlining Temu's local sellers service model, set to debut on March 15th in the U.S. and later in Europe   But why did Temu decide to launch local sellers when it has been operating as a full consignment model since its launch? Is Temu trying to compete with Amazon in the US?   Join us as in this episode where we delve into the motivations behind Temu’s decision to launch local sellers in the US, examining its impact on Temu’s operational efficiency, and if this puts them in direct competition with platforms like Amazon and TikTok Shop.    Featured materials:  Who is Temu, momentum Works Live Commerce Immersion to China, Momentum Works An analysis of Temu’s cross border supply chain & logistics (1/2), TheLowDown An analysis of Temu’s cross border supply chain & logistics (2/2), TheLowDown