As the clock struck midnight on November 11, China’s Double 11 shopping festival—one of the world’s largest online retail events—came to a close, setting new records in sales, user engagement, and strategic shifts. Leading platforms like Tmall and JD.com took a fresh approach this year, extending the duration of the festival and shifting focus from […]
TikTok / Douyin App Trends & Insights
TikTok, a.k.a. Douyin in China, is a leading short video app owned by ByteDance. In reality, TikTok and Douyin are two separate apps for different markets; Douyin is for China launched in 2016 while TikTok for English speaking markets, launched in 2017.
The platform allows users to share 15-second short lip-sync, comedy, and talent videos. It has become a key platform for both marketing and e-commerce professionals.
ByteDance acquired a similar mobile app musical.ly in November 2017 at $1 billion and merged it with TikTok, the international version of Douyin in August 2018.
In addition to commercializing TikTok with e-commerce capabilities, ByteDance is also building a mini program ecosystem on TikTok.
The majority of TikTok users are Gen-Z in China. And, its main competitor in China is Kwai (Kuaishou); see a comparison of Douyin and Kwai here and here.
Chinese E-Commerce Powerhouse Soars on Niche Platforms
In the ever-evolving landscape of global e-commerce, Chinese sellers are increasingly turning their attention to niche platforms across Europe, reaping substantial rewards. A standout example is Zhiou Technology (致欧科技), which has surged on the German e-commerce platform OTTO, amassing a staggering 570 million yuan (over US$80 million) in just two and a half years. A […]
Pinduoduo, Douyin, and Kuaishou struggling with growth
In 2024, some of China’s leading internet companies, including Pinduoduo, Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese counterpart), and Kuaishou, reported sluggish growth. Their Q2 financial results signal a potential turning point after a decade of rapid expansion, primarily driven by recommendation algorithms. As these platforms face increasing competition and saturation in their respective markets, the once-powerful engines of […]
Chinese Companies Making Waves in the Middle East E-Commerce Market
The Middle East has emerged as a new frontier for e-commerce, drawing significant attention from Chinese companies eager to expand their global presence. With a young, tech-savvy population and high spending power, the region offers a promising market for Chinese e-commerce giants. Exploring New Opportunities in the Middle East Xu Jin, a talent scout for […]
China’s Top 50 Global Brands for 2024
The latest report from Kantar BrandZ, “2024 China’s Top 50 Global Brands,” highlights the dynamic growth and global reach of Chinese brands. The study, which has been conducted annually, provides valuable insights into the leading Chinese brands that have made significant impacts in international markets.
Top 10 e-commerce apps in China in Q1 2024
China’s e-commerce market continues to evolve, with leading platforms solidifying their dominance and adapting to new consumer behaviors, according to QuestMobile’s “2024 China Mobile Internet Spring Report.” The report reveals a clear trend towards greater concentration in the mobile shopping sector. The top 10 e-commerce apps have all experienced growth in monthly active users (MAU), […]
Douyin Challenges Meituan in China’s Local Services Market
As Douyin (internationally known as TikTok) expands its local services sector—consisting primarily of restaurant dining, comprehensive local services, and travel—it has rapidly claimed a significant market share, matching the performance of established giants like Meituan. According to an exclusive report by LatePost, Douyin’s sales in these services exceeded 100 billion yuan in the first quarter […]
Digital Human: The Rise of AI-Driven Live Streaming in China
AI digital persona achieved over 10 million viewers within 30 minutes of live streaming on JD.com. Viewer count surpassed 13 million within 40 minutes, setting a record high Nearly 20 million tuned in within the first hour, with average viewer duration 5.6 times longer The integration of artificial intelligence in e-commerce has taken a new […]
China Digital Landscape 2024 – Commercial Transactions
In 2023, China witnessed significant advancements across various sectors of its digital economy, highlighted by remarkable growth in online payments, shopping, delivery services, and travel booking, driven by technological innovations and robust policy support. Online Payments By December 2023, China’s online payment user base reached 954 million people, an increase of 42.43 million from December […]
“Dazi” Socializing: A New Wave of Youth Companionship in China
In recent years, China has seen the rise of a new social phenomenon known as “Dazi” socializing, a term that encapsulates the idea of forming temporary, activity-based companionships. This trend, which spans across a variety of activities such as dining, fitness, and travel, is a reflection of the changing dynamics in how young Chinese people […]
Top Apps Dominating China’s Holidays
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently announced that during the 2024 Spring Festival holidays, spanning nine days from February 9th to February 17th, mobile internet users consumed a staggering 674.5 million TB of data. This represents a 21.7% increase from the previous year, with the growth rate accelerating by 15.4 percentage points. On […]
China’s Import E-Commerce Trends 2024
In 2023, China’s import e-commerce market has seen transactions soar to 551.77 billion yuan, a climb from 462.84 billion yuan in 2018, highlighted by a 10.4% growth peak in 2023, according to data from Analysys. This burgeoning market is led by Tmall Global with a formidable 37.6% share, followed by other key platforms contributing to […]
Douyin’s Billion-Dollar Brands Reveal China’s 2024 Digital Trends
In 2023, China’s digital commerce arena, led by Douyin (TikTok’s China version), displayed extraordinary growth, with its GMV expanding by a staggering 277%. This surge signifies a pivotal shift in the digital commerce landscape, challenging established e-commerce players like JD.com and Pinduoduo. The top 10 brands on Douyin, including Duck Duck (8 billion yuan), Apple […]
Douyin’s Live Commerce Platform Continues to Soar
Douyin, TikTok’s China equivalent, saw its live commerce platform continue to soar in 2023, with total transaction volume growing 256% year-over-year, according to data released by the company early this year. The platform now covers over 370 cities and involves over 450,000 businesses.
China’s Consumer FMCG Market Snapshot 2023
China’s Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market, a critical indicator of domestic consumption patterns, presents a mixed picture in Q2 2023, reflecting both resilience and challenges. Here’s a breakdown based on recent data from CTR and CCTV Market Research’s Kantar Consumer Index. 1. Market Growth and Diversification Despite the “high base effect,” the FMCG market […]