Shein and Temu delivery providers face barrage of lawsuits regarding labor practices: Several have been accused of underpaying workers, misclassifying them as independent contractors, and failing to provide overtime.

PDD misses expectations as competitive pressures erode price advantage: The ecommerce company expects challenges to continue in the short-term as domestic and international rivals gain an edge.

Asia-Pacific’s many holiday and seasonal shopping events are hugely popular for finding deals. Traditionally Western and China-originated events are also gaining ground in the region as the consumption culture expands.

The rapid growth of genAI has the potential to remake marketing and customer experiences in Asia-Pacific. Here’s how surging investment, consumer enthusiasm, and the evolving regulatory landscape are reshaping digital marketing.

China’s retail sales ticked up in October: But mixed results from JD.com and Alibaba show that retailers still face significant headwinds.

From the rise of sophisticated AI-driven tools to new policies reshaping data privacy and competition, 2025 promises to be a year of relentless change. Companies that adapt will thrive, while others risk being left behind in a swiftly moving market.

Alibaba and JD.com tout Singles Day successes, but the data is murky: While transactions rose 27% YoY, the sale was 10 days longer than last year, making it an uncertain gauge of consumer sentiment.

Alibaba touts early Singles Day successes: Apple, lululemon, and Nike were among the biggest beneficiaries as price-conscious shoppers took advantage of steep discounts and other promotions.

Chinese consumer spending dipped below pre-pandemic levels during Golden Week holiday: While there were some positive signs—including higher daily spending—sentiment remains subdued, which could bode ill for Singles Day.

Retailers adjust China strategies to coax cost-conscious shoppers to open their wallets: Ikea and Pizza Hut will open more small-format stores to reach new customers, while H&M set up shop on Pinduoduo and Douyin.

Chinese retailers may cut ad spending under new tariffs: US tariff crackdown could impact Temu and Shein's ad investments, reshaping the digital ad market.

Like many other payment providers globally, Alibaba is opening up its walled garden to fight off antitrust scrutiny

Gen Z shoppers embrace Temu, Shein, and TikTok Shop: 1 in 4 makes a purchase at a Chinese online marketplace at least once a week, as their array of cheap, trendy goods proves impossible for the price-sensitive cohort to resist.

The Asia-Pacific retail ecommerce sector is both dynamic and volatile. While China and Japan are slowing, South Korea is growing rapidly, and emerging markets like Southeast Asia and India are showing robust growth and untapped potential.

Despite a slow start, foreign sanctions, and tight digital regulations, generative AI is emerging as a significant force in China.

As China’s retail media advertising market begins to mature, off-site channels—including WeChat and Douyin, TikTok's sister app in China—will increasingly drive growth.

Marketplaces will continue to expand their share of US retail ecommerce as new players with roots in China vie for prominence.

Digital, traditional, and total media ad spending growth will all accelerate in 2024, although only modestly. The outlook has stabilized for most countries and regions, even if spectacular growth is harder than ever to find.

Asia-Pacific remained a global hotspot in 2023, with six of the top 10 fastest-growing retail ecommerce markets worldwide. In particular, China's online shopping market showed signs of resiliency, with growth rates in the double digits.

As Latin America’s digital revolution marches on, advertisers and retailers must keep pace with how and where consumers are spending their time—and money—if they wish to maintain a competitive edge in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.