Jack & Jones experience show (on the left), gothic style (in the middle), Jack & Jones promotional photograph on its international site (on the right)
Danish menswear brand Jack & Jones’ gothic-themed tour came to an end in Shanghai this December. The tour was named “Gothicise Your Wardrobe 2011, Jack & Jones Brand Experience Show” and hit many cities across China including Dalian, Beijing, and Jinan.
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Mid-November marked the height of online shopping in Shanghai with the rise of “social” shopping websites, such as Mogujie, Meilishuo, and Duitang. This new breed of online shopping sites combines e-commerce and social networking by allowing users to share fashion photos. Users can sign up via a Sina Weibo or a QQ account, which makes it easier for them to share new fashion and fashion items they like on Sina or Tencent Weibo or Qzone.
Beijing recently hosted Red Pagoda’s Startup Weekend, where new business ideas that have not yet launched were presented and discussed. One of the ideas presented was Hupeng, alternatively called an online dating organizer. The idea has roots in group dating, AKA gokon, but integrates with group buying and coupons. Similar to the function of the websites GrubWithUs and IgNighter, Hupeng offers deals and discounts for groups of people who don’t know each other to arrange online to go out together offline. Unlike similar already-established websites, Hupeng is targeted directly to the Chinese market.
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FreeCondom is Beijing’s newest hit app – financed and launched by the National Population and Family Planning Research Institute. As a sexual health initiative, FreeCondom does exactly what the name implies: offers a selection of free condoms. Users can select up to three packs (each holding ten condoms) delivered once every two months for a 1-2 RMB delivery fee.
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July 1st, Air China launched its first “micro-flight” from Beijing to Xi’an, which was an exclusive flight that was only available for purchases via Air China’s platform on Sina.
Participants registered for a Sina Weibo and went to http://weihangban.sina.com.cn/airchina/ to purchase a seat. To activate the offer, at least 150 seats needed to be purchased on one flight. Over 5,000 participants applied for this activity. Not only could netizens decided when and where to flight, they also were able to determine who would take them there (voting for the cabin crew) and what they would eat on the flight.
Air China’s simple cooperation may not be enough to show the brand’s love for Sina Weibo. A plane owned by Tianjin Airline was recently named “Sina Weibo.”
Move over Japan, China seems to be making steady strides on the vending machine front. We have already reported on crab vending machines (check out our previous report on it ) and novelty machines carrying mementos, fresh fruit and tickets. Now we see a fresh fruit juice vending machine.
We have noticed a lot going on with soda packaging thee days. Neocha Edge produced a new can design for Sprite and the global McDonald’s limited edition clear colored Coca Cola glasses in the shape of cans . But with the good also comes the bad.
Giant beverage brands Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Mater Kong simultaneously launched moves to change their packaging for summer. Consumers are left with bottles slimmed from 600ml to 500ml, sold at the same price point as before. The 3 companies, however, failed to get consumers on board with the revised products.
Coca-Cola played it safe by saying that it’s a global move and that increasing costs is a factor in the change. In contrast, Pepsi claimed that the packaging change is to meet consumers’ preference for smaller bottles after a 18-month market research in the country.
Netizens don’t buy it however; many expressed on forums and microblogs that Pepsi’s explanation is unacceptable, challenging Pepsi’s market research. Some extreme netizens said: “We can assume from Pepsi’s words that consumers get what they want. Then why don’t they offer drinks for free as that’s exactly what we want?!” Others predicted in a humorous way, “We may soon have 10ml oral solution version cola!”
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The Bergstrom Group is an insights and trends consultancy helping marketers understand and connect with Chinese consumers. Through thoughtful research, rich narratives and actionable insights, we are helping to tell the story of new China.
