Brand New China Store: A design store for and by modern China
The Brand New China Store, situated in Beijing, is a fashion and lifestyle store that focuses exclusively on Chinese designers. Selling clothes, accessories, furniture, home décor items and paintings at a wide variety of prices. It's owned by Hong Huang, a major celebrity (media figure, blogger, television host and publisher) in China.
Wang Shu: Wins 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize
Chinese architect Wang Shu was awarded the 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize in May 2012 in Beijing, the first Chinese architect to win the prize for work on the Chinese mainland.
MAD Architects
China Unicom: Low cost smartphones
In December 2011, China Unicom announced that they would distribute Xiaomi's MI-ONE, featuring a 1.5GHz processor, a four inch display, and an 8 megapixel camera. Designed to capitalize on the growing domestic demand for reasonably priced smartphones, the MI-ONE costs CNY 1,999, less than half what comparable smartphones from Apple or Samsung usually cost.
JAC Motors: First overseas factory in Brazil
At the end of 2011, China’s state owned JAC Motors announced an investment of USD 500 million in Brazil, the world’s fourth largest car market. The company’s first overseas factory is expected to produce 100,000 cars per year.
Meters/bonwe: Chinese fashion with an international feel
Operating around 1,800 stores across mainland China and catering to the country's increasingly fashion-conscious youth, retailer Meters/bonwe has proved very popular. The brand offers reasonable prices and an international feel; indeed it's often assumed not to be Chinese by consumers.
Warrior Shoes: The everyman's shoe everywhere
The sneaker brand Warrior ('Hui Li' in Mandarin), originally created for Chinese athletes, has been a household name in the country since the 1950s. The brand keeps its designs simple and unpretentious, maintaining its status as 'the everyman's shoe'. While the footwear retails for EUR 50-120 overseas (and features in publications such as GQ and Vogue), it is still affordable in the domestic market.
BYD: Electric taxis take to the streets of Shenzhen
The city of Shenzhen boasts a fleet of electric taxis. The fleet was supplied by Chinese automobile manufacturer BYD, and the pilot project has seen 50 electric taxis take to the streets. There are plans to add a further 250 vehicles to the fleet during 2012, as well as 200 electric buses.
Tianjin: Eco-city experiments with practical solutions for greener living
The Tianjin Eco City, a joint initiative from the Chinese and Singaporean governments, has invited brands from around the world to help solve pressing environmental issues. In the next 10 years, 350,000 people are expected to move to the city, trialing new systems and technologies. The government hopes that many of these will have the potential to solve the environmental issues facing China’s huge cities.
Suntech Power leads global solar panel market
Chinese Suntech Power is the world’s largest producer of solar panels, now totalling over 20 million panels in over 80 countries. In early 2012, the company was named one of the world’s 50 most innovative companies by MIT, partly due to its Pluto cell processing technology, which has since achieved a world record 20.3% efficiency.
O.cn: Maps China's cities in illustrated 3D
O.cn is a stylized online mapping service that covers 38 of China’s largest cities. The 3D maps interface with social networks, and users can click on individual buildings and areas to access user-created and curated content.
WeiLingDi: Check-in and review local businesses
In 2011, Sina, the Chinese web portal, launched a check-in service called WeiLingDi via their resident Twitter-like website Weibo. Users are able to check-in at locations using WeiLingDi, earn badges, write reviews about local businesses, and connect with 60,000 verified Chinese celebrities.
Renren: Networking site launches social travel app
In early 2012, Chinese social network Renren launched a travel journal service, available online or as an app. The Fengche service allows users to create image-rich ‘sets’ detailing their travels, ready to share with friends and family.
Yikuair: Daily deals site offers micro group buying
Chinese group buying site Yikuair is tapping into the microblogging service Sina Weibo. The service carefully curates daily deals, and then lets Weibo users place a small deposit to secure the offer. Deposits can even be made using Weibo’s own virtual currency.
Tencent: Weixin app offers QQ instant messaging and more
In April 2012, the latest version of Tencent’s Weixin instant messaging app introduced users to its English-language name: WeChat. The app offers login via the vast QQ messaging network, which boasts over 700 million users, and a range of additional features. These include recent features familiar to Facebook and Google+ users, such as Timeline and Circles, as well as QR tags, location-based services, voice messaging and a ‘Game Center’.
Buykee: Pinboards and purchasing power
Pinterest–inspired Buykee launched in China in April 2012. The pinboard-style site differentiates itself from its predecessor, by focusing exclusively on luxury products and offering users the ability to buy what they are seeing.
The Kiev: Former Soviet aircraft carrier transformed into luxury hotel
In 2011, former Soviet aircraft carrier, The Kiev, was converted into a luxury hotel by its new Chinese owners. The ship has 137 standard hotel rooms, three VIP guest rooms, two presidential suites, and a luxury restaurant.
China Post: Letters routed via spacecraft with 'galactic postmark'
China Post offers a service enabling individuals to send letters from space, with a 'Space City 1′ postmark. Users send an email to Tiangong-1, a Chinese spacecraft orbiting the earth, which is then rerouted to a special China Space Post Office branch in Beijing. The emails are printed, placed in space-themed envelopes, stamped with a 'galactic postmark', and sent in the mail.
Learn Mandarin the sexy way
Offering a memorable learning experience, the conspicuously named Sexy Mandarin is an online service that teaches users to speak Mandarin via YouTube and YouKu (the former's Chinese equivalent) videos, for free. The twist? All the teachers are attractive, sexily dressed women.
Tao Girls deliver
Chinese online shopping platform Taobao (commonly referred to as the Chinese eBay or Amazon), is reportedly working on an unusual initiative to spice up e-commerce – Tao Girls. Customers will be able to choose (at a slightly higher cost) attractive women living in their city, to deliver their web purchases to the door.
Handsup.cn: Hands stock and pricing suggestions over to customers
Handsup.cn aims to hand power over to the consumer by asking them to recommend products and services they want to buy, as well as the price tag. The more users that want a particular product, the higher the chance of it being available, and the lower the price.
CreditEase: P2P lending
In late 2011, Chinese P2P lending site CreditEase secured a round of funding, while founder Tang Ning was honored by the Communist party. Both achievements signal the dramatic impact of P2P lending in China, where there are now over 100 sites offering services. CreditEase has become one of the country’s largest independent financial service providers, with more than 5,000 workers.
Beijing & Hangzhou: 'World's largest bus'
The Youngman JNP6250G is believed to be the largest bus in the world, capable of transporting up to 300 passengers. The first of the buses will be deployed in Beijing and Hangzhou, using dedicated highway lanes.
Beijing Daxing: 'World's largest airport'
Construction of Beijing Daxing International Airport is due to begin in late 2012. By the time it’s completed in 2017, the airport’s planned capacity is 200 million passengers per year. It will be connected to Beijing via a new high-speed rail link.
SM Tianjin: World's largest shopping mall opening 2013
2013 will see the opening of the world’s largest freestanding shopping mall in the Chinese city of Tianjin, which is just 30 minutes from Beijing by high-speed train. The SM Tianjin Shopping Center will cover 530,000 square meters, an area larger than 74 football fields.
Ubox: App enables mobile payments at vending machines
The Ubox mobile app for Android, iPhone and Java-based phones enables users to select and pay for snacks using their mobile device. It also includes a discount on the cash price for users.
Hai Di Lao: Video links for connected dining
In September 2011, Sichuan hotpot chain Hai Di Lao and Chinese technology firm Huawei announced a partnership to install telepresence screens in restaurants across China. Thanks to the screens, customers can enjoy their meal with faraway friends and family – via a video link.
Huawei: 'World's fastest smartphone'
The Huawei Ascend D Quad was launched in early 2012, claiming to be the world’s fastest smartphone. The company’s first quad-core smartphone features a 720p HD touchscreen and an 8 megapixel camera.
Hai Di Lao: Video links for connected dining
In September 2011, Sichuan hotpot chain Hai Di Lao and Chinese technology firm Huawei announced a partnership to install telepresence screens in restaurants across China. Thanks to the screens, customers can enjoy their meal with faraway friends and family – via a video link.
Chinese supercomputing takes on the world
China's National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin is home to the Tianhe-1A supercomputer, which held the position of the world's fastest until mid-2011. The country now has 61 machines in the TOP500, second only to the US.
Shanghai Vive: Heritage, relaunched
Originally launched in Shanghai in 1898, cosmetics brand Shanghai Vive was recently re-launched to appeal to luxury consumers in China and the West. The brand hopes to tap into its heritage and China’s growing global cultural identity.
China Railways: Business class beds on Beijing – Shanghai 'Harmony Express'
China Railways Group has created the world’s longest high-speed rail network with about 7055 km of routes in China, and trains topping speeds of 350 km/h. The Beijing – Shanghai route was opened in 2011 with business class travelers being waited on by uniformed stewardesses, and enjoying LCD TVs.
NE-TIGER: Chinese luxury fashion house
China’s NE-TIGER is a leading luxury brand that has found global success. The brand hosted the opening show of China International Fashion Week in late 2011, showcasing designs reflecting Chinese tradition and heritage.
P1.cn: Invitation-only social network
P1.cn is an invitation-only social network for well-connected or fashionable Chinese, that claims to have over 1.2 million members. Invitations can only be obtained by knowing five existing members, or by being approached by one of the site’s staff.
Ctrip: Travel service for the very wealthy
In early 2012, Chinese travel website Ctrip launched their new site, HHtravel. The site is designed to offer packages to Chinese tycoons with disposable assets of more than RMB 10 million. A typical trip includes business class travel, Michelin-starred dining, and award winning hotels and attractions.
Ba Yan Ka: 'Pure water. Natural elements. Chinese Wisdom'
Personal care brand Ba Yan Ka offers Chinese consumers totally natural skin, body and hair care products. Formulas are free of chemicals, not tested on animals, and all packing is biodegradable.
Swatch and Uma Wang
Swiss watch brand Swatch invited Chinese fashion designer Uma Wang to create two limited edition wristwatches. One is plastic and branded with Uma Wang's name, while the other uses traditional Yunnan Province embroidered print and coloring. Both designs retail for GBP 44.50.
Li Ning: Straight Out of New China
Sportswear brand Li Ning launched its US retail site in March 2012, heavily branded with the slogan 'Straight Out of New China' and featuring a number of high-profile endorsements. A promotion at the end of the month for special-edition 'Year of the Dragon' shoes caused the site to crash due to demand.
Haier: Brain Wave TV
In January 2012, Chinese consumer electronics giant Haier demonstrated their ‘Brain Wave TV’, which allows users to control the action on their TV sets using their minds. The experimental technology was showcased alongside consumer-ready innovations such as 3D TVs with 2D to 3D conversion.
Herborist: Takes Chinese cosmetics global
Personal care brand Herborist incorporates traditional Chinese medicine with contemporary cosmetic science to create its range of products. The brand has been expanding global distribution, and is now available in Paris, and across a range of European retailers.
Ochirly: LVMH Investment
In February 2012, French luxury giant LVMH purchased a 10% stake in one of China’s top luxury fashion brands, Ochirly. The deal values the brand at over USD 2 billion, as it considers an IPO.
PEAK: Opens first US sports store
Following Li Ning's creation of a US headquarters and retail operation, fellow Chinese sports brand PEAK opened a US headquarters in 2011, and its first US store in Los Angeles in early 2012. The brand ranks third in NBA endorsements, and has over 6,000 authorized retailers globally.
Lenovo: Yoga laptop/tablet hybrid
In early 2012, Chinese computer manufacturer Lenovo announced the Yoga. The device is a hybrid laptop/tablet which uses a 360 degree dual hinge design to allow for use in four different configurations. Meanwhile, the company’s shipments grew by 43.7% over the first quarter of 2011, extending Lenovo’s lead over Dell as the world’s second-largest PC manufacturer.
Hi Panda represents Chinese youth, globally
Aspiring to represent the ideals of China's Generation-Y (members born between 1980-89), Hi Panda is a fashionable clothing and accessories brand that has breached the confines of its native country and spread to Japan, Korea and Europe, including retail stores in London and Paris. There is also talk of entering North America later this year.
Forget the ‘Made in China’ stigma. It should be clear by now that ambitious and confident Chinese brands are already catering to demanding consumers, both at home and increasingly abroad. Including yours. And if you're a non-Chinese entrepreneur, why not get in touch with some of these brands to see if you can help them roll out globally even faster?
Again, these brands and innovations are just the start. Fuelled by constantly improving technologies, a higher quality workforce and booming domestic consumption, Chinese brands are just warming up.
Which is why all brands need to keep both eyes firmly on China, a market that will increasingly define consumer culture. With Chinese brands exporting goods and services to the rest of the world (not to mention Western brands rolling out the RED CARPET for Chinese consumers around the world), expect to see Chinese tastes and preferences exert ever-greater influence on consumer products and services, and on a global scale too (yes, that’s a Trend Briefing in itself!).
Of course, we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the rise of Chinese brands does not signal the end for more traditional brands from Western economies. Brilliance and heritage, from whatever corner of the world, will continue to have a global appeal. Things will ‘just’ get more competitive, meaning you will have to work even harder and smarter. Hey, c’est la vie ;-)
Oh, and while you’re busy preparing for the globally hyper-competitive future, we’re hard at work on our next Trend Briefing. Make sure you’re subscribed! 