Kaizen Blog
Insights from the ground in China:
Latest from the Kaizen Blog
Analysis, guides and field notes from our team and delegations across China: market entry, e-commerce, sourcing, technology and business culture.
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Inside Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei: The World’s Largest Electronics Market in 2026
There are very few places in the world where you can physically experience how modern hardware innovation actually works. And among them, Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei stands in a category of its own. For many foreign…
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How to Visit Chinese Factories in 2026 – China Business Trip Guide
Everyone says: “You should visit factories in person before doing business in China.” That advice is correct. But almost nobody explains the WHY. Most first-time China sourcing trips become chaotic very quickly. Factories are…
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Sourcing in China 2026: Beyond 1688 – Building a Scalable Supply Chain Through Flexible Sourcing Models
Sourcing products in China is a journey that involves finding the right factories, building trust, negotiating pricing, ensuring quality, and managing exports. China remains the world’s premier manufacturing hub, representing roughly 1/3 of global…
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Sourcing in China with 1688: An Expert Guide to Successful Procurement
Sourcing in China with 1688 has become a pivotal strategy for businesses seeking cost-effective products from the world’s manufacturing powerhouse. As part of Alibaba’s ecosystem, 1688.com is a Chinese wholesale platform connecting international buyers…
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Selling in China 2025: E-Commerce vs. B2B Offline Entry Pathways
Entering the Chinese market requires a well-planned strategy. Western companies typically choose one (or both) of two main pathways: online e-commerce entry or offline B2B distribution entry. Below is a mini guide outlining the…
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Trump-Xi Summit 2025: Trade Deal and Future Outlook
In late October 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Busan, South Korea on the sidelines of the APEC summit. This was their first in-person encounter since Trump’s return…
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China’s 15th Five-Year Plan: Key Outcomes and Implications for Foreign Business
China’s top leadership has concluded a pivotal Communist Party plenary session in this October 2025, laying out the blueprint for the country’s next Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). At this Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th…
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Douyin Ads in 2025: How to Build a High-Impact Campaign in China
Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese counterpart) has evolved from a short-video app into one of the world’s most sophisticated marketing ecosystems. In 2025, it stands at the heart of China’s consumer internet, blending entertainment, shopping, and…
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Selling in China 2025: Top 7 Mistakes Foreign Brands Make
Entering the Chinese market offers enormous potential, but many foreign brands stumble by underestimating the unique challenges of selling in China. Companies eager to sell in China often assume what worked elsewhere will work…
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China Livestream E-Commerce vs Traditional E-Commerce: Is Social Commerce Winning?
China’s e-commerce market in 2025 is a titan, accounting for nearly half of the world’s online retail transactions. It’s more than just big, it’s unique. China integrates online shopping with social media in a…
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