Adversity: A Time for Transformation

The global economy is losing steam. As Germany and Hong Kong edge closer to recession and China’s slowdown deepens, many of our clients have added “downturn readiness” to their 2020 agendas. There’s no consensus over whether, when, or how hard the storm will hit – especially in China. Its GDP, industrial output, and retail spending […]

Zalando China: China Sourcing in the E-Commerce Era

What better way of testing the future-readiness of China as a sourcing market than through the eyes of a forward-looking online retailer? Zalando, Europe’s leading e-commerce platform for fashion, sources private label products from factories in the Far East through a team of merchandisers, quality control, testing, and ethical trade professionals located in Hong Kong, […]

China’s Sourcing Advantages

From “Buy Cheap” to “Buy Well” That China remains a manufacturing powerhouse despite its rising costs shouldn’t be surprising. Sourcing is more than just chasing cheap costs, and this statement is only becoming truer. Competitiveness is increasingly driven by other considerations. While China may not be the cheap sourcing paradise it once was, it has […]

China Plus One in Practice

The Sino-US trade war has reignited discussions about China’s future as the world’s factory. After years of cost rises, should you replace China as your primary sourcing market? Two stances usually dominate the debate. One camp tends to inflate the urgency of moving out of China due to its rising costs, while the opposing side […]

Sennheiser China: Tuning Into Chinese Consumers

Sennheiser’s high-end headphones and microphones are coveted by audiophiles and discerning buyers around the world – and China is no exception. The German, family-owned company – whose global revenue now exceeds EUR 660m – established a subsidiary there over 10 years ago. Since then, Greater China has become a key growth market. Pierre Eloy, MD […]

Cracking China’s Retail Market: A Roadmap

Where to start when looking to enter a market as vast, fast-paced, and unique as China’s? Its complex regulations and distinct market conditions can be overwhelming even for experienced executives. As a consultancy that offers end-to-end support in advisory as well as outsourced services, we’ve accompanied many international companies along their China journey from their […]