China Trading Desk’s Post

It’s been another action-packed week here at Circana, and we’re celebrating with exciting insights and collaborations. Let’s dive into the highlights! 💄 Gifting Glow: Our UK beauty report revealed that luxury gift sets under £30 are the holiday must-have. Whether it’s skincare, fragrance, or a treat-yourself moment, shoppers are finding affordable ways to sparkle this season. https://lnkd.in/eYykNK5p 📊 AdVentures Ahead: Circana’s latest Outlook Report explores the future of advertising—think AI, first-party data, and programmatic precision. If ROI is your buzzword, this report is a must-read! https://lnkd.in/eunXtc9B 🌏 Connected Consumers: Our new report spotlights how brands can ignite growth in Japan with social e-commerce. In a time of economic shifts, connected devices and smart data management are unlocking new ways to win in this market. https://lnkd.in/eRQxhADu 🤝 Partnering for Progress: Our pro bono partnership with will&able is helping the Kiwi cleaning brand make waves in New Zealand’s grocery market—all while supporting social impact initiatives. https://lnkd.in/eSgy8HqF 🛍️ Retail Reality Check: Marshal Cohen dropped wisdom on CNBC, highlighting how retailers can win this holiday season by delivering value and a dash of novelty. Pro tip: Skip the excuses, double down on the bang for the buck! https://lnkd.in/eS3zHQSa Whether it’s shining a light on consumer trends, empowering impactful partnerships, or leading the conversation in retail, we’re always striving to help brands and retailers thrive. Until next week, keep the momentum going and let’s make big moves together! 💜

A couple of interesting statistics from Euromonitor’s 2025 Consumer Trends report – More than 23,000 brands were launched online across 54 FMCG categories and 32 countries in the first 8 months of 2024! No wonder it is so difficult for a new product to stand out in its respective category, given that on average, a large supermarket will typically stock 40,000 products. Euromonitor’s top tip is to focus on very clear product messaging and ensure that brands and products will directly connect with the user experience. #insights #categorymanagement #fmcg #cpg

Beauty Independent shared their 2025 predictions... Here are the top 4 I think will shape the future of the beauty industry: 1️⃣ Social Commerce: Tik Tok Shop is becoming the new frontier for beauty. By leveraging exclusive product launches, curated bundles, and strong affiliate partnerships, brands can capture the attention of shoppers and build deeper connections. Social commerce is no longer optional, it’s the way forward.📲 2️⃣ Premium Grocers Become the New Luxury Retailers: Stores like Erewhon, Sprouts Farmers Market and others are now the go-to for health-conscious, early adopter consumers. These spaces aren’t just for food - they’re becoming prime destinations for better-for-you beauty and wellness brands to shine. 🌱 3️⃣ K-Beauty Spas Redefine Self-Care: K-Beauty is making waves in U.S. spas, with innovative treatments like scalp health analysis and facials taking center stage. These holistic approaches to wellness are reshaping what we think of as “self-care,” blending ritual and science for a transformative experience. 🇰🇷 4️⃣ Packaging Sourcing Expands Beyond China: I'm still a believer in China, but with rising tariffs, brands are exploring suppliers in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the U.S. While alternatives are improving, China’s reliability and cost efficiency remain unmatched, so the shift may be gradual. 🌎 What are your predictions for 2025? #IndieBeauty #BeautyTrends2025 #SocialCommerce #PremiumGrocers #KBeauty #PackagingInnovation. New Ground

Kantar - Ecommerce - Thailand Beauty Physical stores remain crucial Offline channels continue to be vitally important to Thailand’s beauty sector: shopper traffic is still eight times higher than online, despite not yet having recovered to pre-COVID levels. Proximity stores are becoming increasingly popular destinations for beauty shoppers, who are attracted by the convenience of only needing to take a few steps to reach their favourite products. This is a trend that is unique to Thailand, and is being driven by shrinking household sizes, with less storage space, and less need to buy in bulk. Read our report to discover the channel landscape in Thailand’s beauty market, and how to turn shoppers’ needs and priorities into levers for increased penetration and spend. #kantar #retail #store #ecommerce #omnichannet #shopper #thailand

FMCG consumers are a whole new breed. They're not just looking for the lowest price anymore. They want products that match their values – think sustainability, ethical sourcing, and social impact. They expect personalized experiences, crave convenience, and are heavily influenced by what they see online. Is your brand keeping pace with these evolving demands? Are you offering more than just products? Are you delivering experiences and building a community? It's time to rethink your FMCG strategy. The future belongs to brands that understand the new consumer. #FMCG #ConsumerEvolution #NewConsumer #RetailTrends #Marketing #Goybo

Kantar - Ecommerce - Thailand Beauty Physical stores remain crucial Offline channels continue to be vitally important to Thailand’s beauty sector: shopper traffic is still eight times higher than online, despite not yet having recovered to pre-COVID levels. Proximity stores are becoming increasingly popular destinations for beauty shoppers, who are attracted by the convenience of only needing to take a few steps to reach their favourite products. This is a trend that is unique to Thailand, and is being driven by shrinking household sizes, with less storage space, and less need to buy in bulk. Read our report to discover the channel landscape in Thailand’s beauty market, and how to turn shoppers’ needs and priorities into levers for increased penetration and spend. #kantar #retail #store #ecommerce #omnichannet #shopper #thailand

🌟 Creating Unforgettable Brand Moments in China 🇨🇳 In China’s fast-moving consumer market, brand loyalty is increasingly elusive. With endless choices, how can brands stand out and build lasting emotional connections? The answer lies in experience-driven branding—turning everyday transactions into aspirational, shareable, and emotionally engaging moments. A perfect example? Heytea (喜茶), which transformed tea drinking into a premium lifestyle experience. ✅ Sell a lifestyle, not just a product ✅ Leverage digital for personalization & engagement ✅ Make every touchpoint shareable ✅ Use FOMO & scarcity to drive demand ✅ Sustain emotional connections post-purchase In our latest article, we explore what makes Heytea a masterclass in brand experience and what global brands can learn from it. 🔗 Link to the full article in the first comment. What are your thoughts on experience-driven branding in China? Let’s discuss! #BrandExperience #ChinaMarketing #ConsumerEngagement #Heytea #DigitalInnovation #FOMO #BrandLoyalty

FMCG consumers are a whole new breed. They're not just looking for the lowest price anymore. They want products that match their values – think sustainability, ethical sourcing, and social impact. They expect personalized experiences, crave convenience, and are heavily influenced by what they see online. Is your brand keeping pace with these evolving demands? Are you offering more than just products? Are you delivering experiences and building a community? It's time to rethink your FMCG strategy. The future belongs to brands that understand the new consumer. #FMCG #ConsumerEvolution #NewConsumer #RetailTrends #Marketing

It's hard to cut through with new products and brands. Clarity is key according to Euromonitor. https://lnkd.in/eGUBBQrE

In other news... This report landed in my inbox recently and some real lead indicators coming out of the US worth considering. If you're a local 🇿🇦 player in Beauty, Beverages, eComm, FMCG space, then here is some holiday (?) reading. It's a 100+ page doc so here's my key takeaways... 1️⃣ The pandemic may be behind us, but its impact on consumer behaviour is still evident. U.S. e-commerce sales have doubled since 2019, hitting $1.16 trillion. Digital-first strategies are no longer optional, they’re essential for staying competitive. 2️⃣ TikTok Shop has revolutionised social commerce, combining entertainment with seamless purchasing. With 50% of active users having made a purchase and satisfaction rates above 90%, this platform exemplifies the power of engagement-driven retail. 3️⃣ Non-alcoholic alternatives are gaining momentum, particularly among younger consumers prioritising health. From mocktails to THC-infused drinks, the rise of wellness-oriented indulgence is reshaping the beverage industry. "Dry-January" is a new term for me. 4️⃣ Consumers are balancing health-conscious choices with fun. While protein and fibre-rich foods are trending, indulgent experiences like "hot honey" (it has chilli in it BTW) remain a priority, highlighting the need for businesses to offer both functionality and enjoyment. 5️⃣ Ultra-processed foods are under scrutiny, with many believing the government and grocery stores should play a role in regulating or reducing them. The growing demand for transparency and healthier options presents both challenges and opportunities for food brands. 6️⃣ Younger generations are reshaping shopping behaviours. Gen Z, for example, is more loyal to brands than expected, especially in categories like beauty products. This loyalty provides an opportunity for businesses to build long-term relationships through authentic engagement. My last thought... Seems that businesses that adapt with empathy, innovation, and authenticity will thrive if these trends come to our shores. #consumertrend2025 #inothernews