The Negotiation

In this episode of The Negotiation, we welcome back to the show, Charles Lavoie, VP of Marketing & Head of Creative Labs at WPIC Marketing & Technologies and longtime guest of the pod. In our conversation, we explore the transformation that China's e-commerce scene has witnessed due to the rise of Douyin, which has provided global brands with a new platform to connect with Chinese consumers We examine how Douyin fostered consumer trust by initially incentivizing local brands to lower their prices, gradually cultivating a habit of buying through the app. As trust in the platform increased, larger international brands joined the mix. Today, Douyin hosts not just discounted items, but serves as a launching pad for innovative brand initiatives and drives substantial revenue. Charles dives deep into how the brand strategy on Douyin differs from Tmall and the comparative advantages of each platform. Our discussion also touches on Little Red Book Pinduoduo, and how these platforms reshape brand strategy.  Finally, Charles also explains why a comparable video-driven social commerce platform has not emerged in the West. Enjoy this insightful conversation on some of the most significant trends in China's retail marketing landscape!   Topics Discussed and Key Points: ●      Rise of Douyin●      The difficulties of growing Douyin-like platforms in the West●      Most successful product categories on Douyin●      The process for brand store setup and operation on Douyin●      Marketing on Tmall vs. Douyin●      Livestreaming and influencer collaboration on Tmall vs Douyin●      Keyword bidding and consumer intent●      Attribution in closed ecosystems: Understanding consumer behaviour, tracking data importance●      The rise of micro-influencers in China●      The impact of Little Red Book●      The culture of excessive discounting in China●      Pinduoduo and brand strategy: platform potential, consumer behaviour, collaboration strategies●      Impact of AI on search engines●      Lesser-known platforms and trends in China

We dive into the evolving e-commerce and consumer trends in China for 2024, starting with analyzing the performance and tactics of leading e-commerce giants like Douyin, Pinduoduo, Taobao, and Tmall. What drove ByteDance's revenue growth of 30% to $110 billion? How is Pinduoduo's western-facing discount platform Temu adding to its incredible growth, if at all? And where does all of this leave Alibaba, the darling of e-commerce in China for over a decade?Our discussion also touches on the influence of changing consumption patterns and consumer confidence on the market dynamics. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of China's digital commerce landscape. Enjoy!Topics Discussed and Key Points:Overview of China's e-commerce landscapeMajor e-commerce platforms in ChinaThe rise of video in e-commerceSocial shopping and group buying trendsEstablished marketplaces and their innovationsChanging consumption norms in ChinaConsumer confidence factorsPredictions for the future of e-commerce in China

Andrew Methven, author of Slow Chinese newsletter, discusses his unconventional language-learning journey, emphasizing the importance of understanding Mandarin's history and cultural context. He shares his experience with the lack of resources for learning Chinese in the UK and highlights the significance of staying up to date with modern language trends. Andrew also explores the evolution of idioms in Mandarin and the depth and creativity of Chinese expressions.

In this episode of The Negotiation, we're delighted to speak with Claire Urry, Chief Commercial Officer at the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), the premier British organization dedicated to fostering trade and investment between the UK and China. Calling in from the picturesque English town of Horncastle, Claire gives a detailed breakdown of the UK and China’s robust trading relationship, which has benefited British businesses and communities across the country.  Claire explains the pivotal role of the CBBC in promoting UK-China trade, including providing support to British businesses looking to export to China. As a part of that service offering, Claire was recently in Shanghai to attend CIIE and FHC alongside a large delegation of British businesses. Claire shares her observations from the trade shows as well as her takeaways from her first visit to Shanghai in four years.  Our conversation also touches on the British sectors ripe for growth in China; the factors that explain the success of several British brands in China; and the sentiment of British business and government elites towards China. Enjoy! Topics Discussed and Key Points●      Claire's recent experiences in Shanghai and her impressions of the city.●      The role and impact of the CBBC.●      Opportunities and challenges in the Chinese market.●      Growth sectors in China, including health and wellness, beauty and personal care, fashion, sports and leisure, and home and lifestyle.●      Successful strategies of UK brands in China, focusing on strong brand narratives and authenticity.●      The resonance of food and drink brands with Chinese consumers.●      The relationship between politics and UK-China business dynamics, and the imperative of maintaining a strong, cooperative partnership.

In this episode of The Negotiation, we sit down with Denni Hu, a Shanghai-based journalist for Women's Wear Daily (WWD), a premier fashion industry publication. Our discussion with Denni covers a range of topics, including the latest fashion, consumer, and lifestyle trends in China. We delve into Denni’s career path, the expansion of luxury brands in China, and the intriguing interplay between fashion and food in China's cafe pop-ups. The conversation also touches on the increasing popularity of certain sports and lifestyle trends, the widespread acceptance of yoga pants as everyday wear, and the emergence of Chinese fashion designers on the global stage. Additionally, we explore the concept store boom, the impact of user-generated content on brand promotion, and the strength of domestic brands and designers in the beauty and fashion sectors in China. Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      The resilience and growth of luxury brands in China amidst economic challenges.●      The dynamics of China's retail market.●      The innovative fusion of fashion and food in China's cafe pop-ups.●      Trends in sports and lifestyle, including the normalization of yoga pants as everyday attire in China.●      The rising global popularity of Chinese fashion designers.●      The influence of user-generated content and social media on the fashion industry in China.●      The investments needed to cultivate a brand's aura.●      The growing prominence of domestic brands and designers in China’s fashion and beauty sectors.

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to feature Heidi Dugan, Chair of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AustCham).  Heidi joins the show at a critical juncture in Australian-China relations. After several years of frosty ties, Canberra and Beijing are taking steps to normalize the bilateral relationship—most notably by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese making a state visit to China earlier in November. Heidi discusses the work AustCham did around the state visit and the China International Import Expo (CIIE), as well as the broader efforts they are making to improve Australian-China relations.  With relations warming, Heidi speaks about her optimism for better trade and investment between Australia and China. She pinpoints key growth sectors for Australian businesses in China, including health and wellness, education, and cosmetics.  Having lived in China for nearly 30 years, Heidi also shares her insights on why Chinese consumers think so highly of Australian consumer brands.  This is a fascinating conversation with one of the most prominent Australian business leaders in China.  Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      An introduction to the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) in Shanghai.●      The crucial role of storytelling in brand development and investment in the Chinese market.●      Exploring growth opportunities in sectors such as medical equipment, health and wellness, education, and cosmetics in China.●      Insights into the sentiment among Australian business leaders towards China.●      A detailed look at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and Australia's involvement.●      The impact of Singles Day on Australian brands and the evolving maturity of the Chinese consumer market.

In this episode of The Negotiation, we're thrilled to feature Jing Zhang, a renowned fashion journalist and consultant. Jing currently serves as the Global Editor in Chief of Jing Daily, the leading publication on luxury and fashion trends in China.The health of the Chinese consumer has been hotly debated throughout 2023—conflicting market signals have given oxygen to bulls and bears alike. On one hand, luxury spending is up, but pressures on the housing market have led to increased savings and less spending on large durables. So what’s really going on, and how can brands adapt?In this episode, Jing brings her expert insights to the table to shed light on the priorities of Chinese consumers in this new landscape.Our conversation touches on many topics, beginning with Jing’s unexpected journey into fashion journalism. Jing then shares her assessment of Chinese consumer confidence and how consumer preferences have shifted. We also explore the rise of domestic beauty brands, the gradual recovery of the tourism industry, and the impact of mental health on Chinese consumer trends. Jing offers her insights into the Chinese fashion industry, the repercussions of the pandemic, and the evolving nature of Chinese consumerism.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding Chinese lifestyle and consumer trends.Topics Discussed and Key Points:Chinese consumer confidence in 2023Factors influencing consumer confidenceWinners and losers in China's luxury market for 2023Spending and lifestyle trends among young consumersThe effect of mental health on young consumersThe emergence of domestic brands and designersThe pandemic's impact on luxury brands and tourismComparing e-commerce and offline channels in luxury spending

Welcome to our landmark 200th episode of The Negotiation Podcast! The last four years have been rich with meaningful discussions, profound insights, and memorable moments—and we’re excited about what the future will bring.In this celebratory episode, we are delighted to host the co-founders of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, Jacob and Joseph Cooke. We delve into WPIC's impressive expansion in China, particularly their new office in Shanghai, and reminisce about the company's significant growth since the podcast was launched four years agoWe further explore the evolution of e-commerce in China, spotlighting the surging popularity of live-streaming sales and the increasing diversification of the sector. The Cooke brothers candidly share their experiences navigating the pandemic and how it acted as a catalyst in shifting the world more towards e-commerce. We also touch upon the future horizons and expansion blueprints for WPIC.Thank you for being part of this journey, and here's to many more enlightening episodes!Topics Discussed and Key Points:Commemorating the 200th episode milestoneA look back at WPIC Marketing + Technologies last four yearsUnveiling of WPIC's new office in ShanghaiDelving into the evolution and dynamics of China's e-commerce sceneWPIC's expansion into Japan and Southeast AsiaAssessing the pandemic's influence on WPIC and the e-commerce transitionA sneak peek into exciting news and upcoming endeavours for the podcast

We are excited to welcome Noah Fraser to this episode of The Negotiation. Noah is based in Beijing, serving as Managing Director, China, for the Canada China Business Council (CCBC).  In our conversation, Noah discusses the business landscape in China for Canadian companies, highlighting the enormous opportunities in sectors like consumer goods, agriculture, and more. He also breaks down CCBC’s government engagement priorities, advocacy for improved market access, and the current environment for foreign investment.   Noah talks about CCBC’s upcoming Annual General Meeting in Beijing, which will welcome a large delegation of Canadian business and government leaders for the first time since before the pandemic. Noah also touches on the Belt and Road Forum, which he attended this week in Beijing alongside representatives from 150 countries.  In closing, Noah shares his experience suiting up in the Beijing International Ice Hockey League and his observations on the rise of hockey in China. Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      The Belt and Road Initiative●      Return of high-level visits to China●      CCBC’s upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM)●      Challenges and opportunities for Canadian companies in the Chinese market●      The significance of building strong local relationships and understanding the complexities of the Chinese market●      China's approach to foreign investment and the challenges and opportunities it presents●      CCBC’s government engagement priorities and advocating for improved market access●      The Beijing International Ice Hockey League

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to welcome back Jacob Cooke, Co-Founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies.  In our conversation with Jacob, we talk about the consumption surge during China's Golden Week, which saw over 800 million domestic trips and more than $100 billion in spending. He highlights other booming sectors like travel, athleisure, and lifestyle, despite macro pressures on Chinese consumers. Jacob also talks about the rise of "special forces tourism" and predicts continued growth in off-the-beaten-path destinations. We also touch on the upcoming Singles Day and the relationship between real estate prices and consumption. Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      Golden Week's impact on consumer trends●      Consumption recovery during Golden Week●      Increase in domestic trips and spending during Golden Week●      Weakness in sectors like large durable appliances and auto, but strong performance in personal consumption, travel, athleisure, and lifestyle ●      The rise of "special forces tourism"●      Singles’ Day optimism ●      Growth in health and wellness, athleisure, nutraceuticals, and pet products