Emotional fitness, power-aging, gold fever, and instant gratification: the signals brands can’t afford to miss in 2026.

In 2025, China’s beauty market favored proof over hype, as longevity science, AI-led discovery, and function-first formulas rewired how consumers buy.

Dealmakers pivot from hype to control as fragrance, haircare, biotech and niche brands emerge as 2025’s most contested growth engines.

In 2025, celebrity influence proved to be as fragile as it is powerful, with scandals exposing the inherent risks of star-led branding.

Policy subsidies invigorate Double 12, turning China’s quietest shopping festival into a revealing stress test for pricing power and consumer trust.

Independent jewelers are winning over Gen Z by crafting pieces with soul and meaning, reshaping trends across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Beyond zero tariffs and lower tax rates, Hainan’s real opportunity lies in converting price advantages into experience-driven retail leadership.

Maison’s strategic mastery lies in using ‘accessible scarcity’ — opening grand spaces to the public while tightly controlling access to its top products and exclusive experiences.

Geopolitical signals, not seasonality, are now driving China-Japan travel flows.

Italian sneaker brand’s sale to HSG marks China’s biggest European luxury acquisition this year.

Viral holiday aesthetic drives pop-up success from Seoul to London, generating $6 million in social value as luxury brand captures preppy fashion moment.

While Labubu built cult status through Pop Mart, Hendry’s AI-assisted Juju targets handbag charm consumers with established art credentials and transparent tech use.