The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) in China has been driven by robust government incentives, significant investments in charging infrastructure, and a strong push for environmental sustainability. This rapid expansion has positioned China as the world's largest market for EVs, underscoring its pivotal role in shaping the future of global automotive trends.

Born into a world saturated with social platforms like Weibo, WeChat, and Xiaohongshu (RedNote), China’s Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) has been inundated with online information from a young age.

Chinese designers are increasingly collaborating with Western brands, a trend exemplified by Nike's partnership with Feng Chen Wang, Didu's capsule collection with MyTheresa, and &OtherStories working with Susan Fang. These collaborations disrupt the fashion industry, showcasing the creativity and innovation of Chinese designers. They provide China with a prominent platform on the global stage, highlighting its influence in contemporary fashion. For Western brands, these partnerships offer a strategic connection to the crucial luxury consumer market in China, fostering cross-cultural exchange and expanding their appeal. This trend underscores the growing significance of Chinese designers in shaping the future of global fashion.

Chinese shopping festivals and holidays fuse tradition with e-commerce, driving massive spending through discounts, interactive campaigns, and cultural promotions. Events like Singles’ Day and Lunar New Year push brands to innovate with livestreaming, gamified deals, and exclusive collaborations.

China's digital nomad trend sees a rise in professionals embracing remote work, leveraging technology to explore diverse locations while maintaining career flexibility and a global lifestyle.

China’s clean beauty trend reflects a growing demand for skincare and cosmetics made with safe, transparent, and environmentally friendly ingredients. Consumers, particularly younger generations, prioritize products free from harmful chemicals, cruelty-free testing, and sustainable packaging. This movement aligns with global wellness trends and China's growing attention to sensitive skin.

China's "common prosperity" drive aims to reduce wealth inequality and achieve more equitable distribution of resources. The goal by authorities is to create a balanced, sustainable economic development framework through real world and digital policies. This may impact areas of the nation's luxury industry, social media, and how companies do business.

With young consumers having grown accustomed to purchasing from daigou, the market is growing at lightning speed. According to Re-Hub’s September 2023 report, “The Daigou Index 2.0,” China’s gray market size is an estimated $81 billion (600 billion RMB), having expanded by over 40% since 2019.

The Douyin makeup trend showcases innovative beauty techniques and creative looks inspired by social media influencers, shaping a dynamic and constantly evolving beauty culture among Chinese consumers. Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok, is a social media platform where users share short videos, including many focused on makeup and beauty tutorials.

As Chinese consumers seek immersive and interactive shopping experiences, brands are experimenting with experiential stores, pop-up shops, luxury resort takeovers, and virtual reality (VR) experiences to engage customers and drive foot traffic. These experiences are also good for driving brand awareness as Chinese youth like to "check in" (打卡) at popular viral locations to post on social media.

Fashion weeks are a series of global events that take place twice a year, in February/March for the fall/winter collections and in September/October for the spring/summer collections. They showcase the latest trends, designs, and innovations in the fashion industry through runway shows, presentations, and exhibitions. Held in major fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, New York, and London, these events blend haute couture with street style, highlighting the intersection of tradition, craftsmanship, and contemporary aesthetics. Newer blossoming fashion week events include Copenhagen, Tokyo, and Shanghai.

China accounted for around 40-50 percent of the global production capacity of lab-grown diamonds at 20 million carats last year, making it the world's largest producer. Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu echo this sentiment, with users lauding lab-grown diamonds for their ability to afford larger and higher-quality stones compared to natural diamonds.

This trend is increasingly noticeable in China, where there is a growing interest in men’s fine jewelry and fewer limits on gender when it comes to clothing. This shift is influenced by prominent celebrities and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) who regularly showcase traditionally feminine adornments.

Guochao (国潮), meaning "national trend," is a cultural movement that emphasizes the integration of traditional Chinese heritage with contemporary fashion and global influences. This trend reflects China's recent soft power push, as well as a renewed sense of cultural pride and self-expression in China, driven by the country's efforts to reclaim and celebrate its rich history and identity in innovative ways.

K-pop (Korean Pop) is a global music and cultural phenomenon originating in South Korea, characterized by its fusion of diverse musical genres, high-energy performances, and visually striking aesthetics. Emerging in the 1990s and gaining worldwide traction in the 2010s, K-pop blends elements of pop, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music with meticulously choreographed dance routines and elaborate production. More than just a music genre, K-pop represents a larger entertainment industry driven by idol groups, dedicated fan communities, and digital media engagement.

"Lying flat," or 躺平 (Tángpíng) in Chinese, emerged as a notable cultural phenomenon in 2021, symbolizing a rejection of societal pressures to overwork and overachieve. This internet buzzword encapsulates a personal stance against the relentless demands of modern life, particularly epitomized by the 996 working hour system prevalent in China. Choosing to "lie flat" signifies adopting a more passive, low-desire attitude towards life, eschewing the traditional pursuit of success and material wealth. It represents a conscious decision to prioritize personal well-being and contentment over the competitive rat race, sparking discussions about work-life balance and societal expectations among Chinese youth.

China's interest in winter sports has grown steadily since the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, with the government actively promoting participation as part of its national agenda. Skiing is the most popular winter sport in China, with the market valued at $8.1 billion in 2023. This has led to a rise in winter sports tourism, with ski resorts in regions like Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Inner Mongolia attracting both domestic and international visitors.

Quiet luxury reflects a shift towards slower, more intentional purchasing, where consumers prioritize investment pieces over trend-driven items. This trend is the antithesis of logomania, focusing on subtle elegance and understated sophistication. Instead of conspicuous logos, quiet luxury emphasizes quality craftsmanship, timeless design, and premium materials. It's about making thoughtful choices that offer longevity and versatility, allowing individuals to curate a refined wardrobe that transcends seasonal fads. This approach caters to a discerning clientele who appreciate the intrinsic value of well-made garments and accessories, favoring enduring style over flashy, brand-centric statements.

Chinese beauty shoppers are some of the most sophisticated consumers in the world. Homegrown beauty bloggers and apps have contributed to the proliferation of information about beauty, including ingredients, online, enabling domestic consumers to quickly educate themselves. This cohort of beauty ingredients aficionados is known as cheng fen dang (成分党) in the mainland.

Platforms like WeChat and Xiaohongshu have integrated social networking with e-commerce, allowing users to discover, share, and purchase products seamlessly within their social networks. In particular, livestream e-commerce has seen continuous growth since 2019, led by Taobao and Douyin, with 34% of Chinese Gen Z shoppers having engaged in livestream shopping.

Driven by the surging popularity of outdoor activities and heightened awareness of UVA and UVB radiation risks, China’s sunscreen market is expanding rapidly, outstripping the overall beauty sector’s growth. As the weather heats up, long sleeves are coming out in China. Sun protection gear is back for the season, and Chinese consumers are layering up to protect themselves against harsh UV rays.

Duty-free luxury retail in China has experienced rapid growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for high-end products. Major cities and tourist destinations have seen a surge in duty-free stores, offering a wide range of luxury goods at tax-free prices. This market expansion has been bolstered by government policies aimed at boosting domestic consumption and tourism.

Tensions between the U.S. and China are intensifying as both countries discuss tariffs and trade restrictions in 2025 and beyond, with the U.S. focusing on Chinese imports while China is responding with duties on American goods and export limitations.

Chinese viral fashion trends highlight eclectic styles that take flight on Chinese social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, Douyin, WeChat, and Weibo. Popular themes can include "China-chic" (guochao), futuristic to clean girl aesthetics. Influencers and social platforms play a significant role in spreading these trends rapidly.

Chinese consumers are increasingly embracing wellness lifestyles, focusing on mental health, fitness, and balanced nutrition. This shift is driven by rising health awareness, social media influence, and a desire for improved quality of life post pandemic. Brands are responding with products and services promoting holistic well-being.