China’s deflationary spiral is expected to continue this year: A sharper-than-expected drop in prices in February underscores Chinese consumers’ extreme reluctance to spend.

DeepSeek, a genAI chatbot that originated from China, astonished the world with its capability to match ChatGPT while costing significantly less to build and using less powerful GPUs. The launch has triggered an industry soul search that could potentially accelerate AI adoption worldwide.

Alibaba’s domestic ecommerce growth signals promise for China’s retail landscape: However, price-conscious consumers and a trade war could derail recovery.

With iPhone sales tied to AI, Apple’s partnership with Alibaba could be the key to staying competitive against Huawei and other rising local brands.

A series of major milestones are on tap for total media and digital media ad spending around the world in 2025, although growth will be uneven across countries and regions.

China’s economy faces more gloom in 2025: Sluggish consumer spending and a potential trade war will weigh on growth.

Chinese consumers kept a tight lid on spending in November: Retail sales fell short of expectations despite Singles Day promotions, pushing Beijing to promise stronger stimulus.

China’s retail sector will grow from government stimulus, retail’s genAI revolution will have a far-reaching impact, India’s quick commerce will heat up, China’s retailers will face pushback in the region, and Xiaohongshu will further establish itself.

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