Chinese netizens’ entrepreneurial spirit appears to have kicked in after Elon Musk appeared on the hit US audio app Clubhouse.
E-commerce and New Retail
How will China spend during Spring Festival 2021?
Spring Festival consumption is likely to remain strong in 2021, as consumers shift to online purchases and livestream.
Friendly neighbors are the key to China’s community group-buying craze
For many, finding a good deal is the main reason to join a community group-buying platform. Socializing with neighbors is a reason to stay.
ByteDance joins Spring Festival ad war, edtech funding: Retailheads
ByteDance joins the annual Spring Festival marketing blowout. Alipay prepares for the 2021 red envelope war. Edtech attracts more investment.
Jack Ma resurfaces amid regulatory clampdown
The Alibaba and Ant Group founder, Jack Ma, made his first public appearance in months at a video conference with rural teachers.
Pinduoduo blasted for user privacy breach, Luckin franchises: Retailheads
Pinduoduo is under fire again for deleting pictures from a user’s photo album without consent. Luckin opens up to franchises in lower-tier cities.
WeChat doubled mini program GMV in 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated consumer adoption of e-commerce on WeChat and powered growth, as confined shoppers spent more time browsing on the app.
Why analysts don’t trust GMV, and why they use it anyway
Every penny a customer commits to pay on a platform is counted as part of GMV, whether or not they pay, or later get the money refunded.
Ele.me faces backlash, Luckin coup: Retailheads
Ele.me is criticized for its treatment of the family of a deliveryman who died on the job. The US may ban American investors from Alibaba and Tencent.
Ele.me driver self-immolates to protest wage dispute
A short video showing individuals putting out the flames engulfing a deliveryman working for Ele.me in Jiangsu province went viral on Chinese social media.