When “Made in Japan” Is Already the Trust Signal
Many of the trust signals used to persuade consumers in other markets carry less influence in Japan. When quality and safety are already expected, differentiation often becomes a bigger challenge than trust.
Jake’s Take: What 618 2026 Revealed About China’s Consumers
One of China’s biggest shopping festival is changing. WPIC’s Jacob Cooke explains what 618 revealed about consumers, brands, and AI commerce.
Jake’s Take: Why RedNote (Xiaohongshu) Bet Big on the World Cup
WPIC’s Jacob Cooke examines why RedNote (Xiaohongshu) spent US$350 million on World Cup rights and what the move reveals about China’s evolving digital media landscape.
Why Japanese Consumers Look for Reasons Not to Buy
Many Japanese consumers actively search for criticism, comparisons, and opposing views before making a purchase. Understanding why can help brands build trust and create content that aligns with how consumers actually evaluate decisions.
Discount to Value in China Happens Product by Product
Brands do not move from discount to value all at once in China. Charles Lavoie explains how products build equity first and margin later.
Two Different Paths to Growth in Japan
Matsukiyo and Sugi both crossed the ¥1 trillion mark in FY2025, but through very different approaches. Their contrasting strategies offer useful lessons for brands entering Japan.
Most China Margin Problems Start Before You Launch
Many China margin problems start before launch. WPIC’s Charles Lavoie explains how flawed expectations create pressure later.
Southeast Asia E-commerce Starts With the Right Entry Markets
Southeast Asia e-commerce is growing fast. Learn why Malaysia and Singapore are the right place to start before scaling.
Why Margins Break Down in China
Why do margins break down in China? WPIC’s Charles Lavoie explains the real cost drivers, from marketing and promotions to platform pressure.
Jake’s Take: China’s Brand Shift Was Never About Nationalism
Chinese consumers buy on quality, price, and value. The nationalism narrative misses how local brands actually grew.
How Global Beauty Brands Can Compete With K-Beauty Brands in Korea
K-beauty dominates at home and abroad, but global brands can still grow in Korea with sharper positioning, local relevance, and faster execution.
Tmall vs JD.com vs Douyin: How China’s E-commerce Journey Has Changed
These platforms don’t compete. They shape different parts of how people discover and buy in China.