Why US Brands Are So Hot in China?

Great opportunities for American Brands in China

The online sphere in China represents great opportunities for US brands. With one of the most elaborate systems in terms of e-commerce and appropriation of this system by the majority of the population, expanding its activities in China has become an Eldorado for brands.

In this article, we will analyze this enthusiasm for American brands and how these contribute to their success in China

The Chinese Middle Class is an opportunity for all premium US brands. With  150 million consumers, the Chinese middle class is expected to reach One billion.

Estimated as  $250 billion market for US Firms (Source the U.S.-China Business Council ), it’s worth noting the American Brands that can take advantage of this amazing opportunity.

Most of the US biggest brands have already developed their business in China and are active in this new segment.

We will analyze how they manage that.

The USA needs to Export more, and China is the perfect Market for All these Small and Medium Brands

Overview of Online Business in China for US Brands in China

China is one of the biggest e-commerce markets in the world, with sales reaching more than $ 680 billion by 2016, which will reach the ridge in just three years. A boon for brands, is when we think that this sales channel represents 20% of the total sales of the country and will represent a quarter within 5 years.

Several factors justify the rise of e-commerce in China. First of all, the large population of more than 1.4 billion inhabitants contributes greatly to the rise of this phenomenon. In the coming years, more and more people will use the Internet in China, when we see that the penetration rate is currently only 55%, representing about 750 million people…

Online China is still only at its beginnings and still reserves big surprises. The emergence of a middle class in search of more qualitative living conditions, notably thanks to the increase in their incomes and thus their purchasing power, is also a factor in the development of this distribution channel.

Chinese Love American Products

The craze for US products has become important in recent years as they represent the largest market share in terms of foreign products purchased in China, ahead of Japan and South Korea. This interest will contribute to the commercial development of American brands in the country where a niche market and an already existing market await them.

US TOP Brands have already invested heavily in the Chinese market

With this enthusiasm for their products, American brands no longer understand the importance of positioning themselves in the Chinese market to develop their business and market share. This investment in Chinese markets goes upstream, through a full understanding of the environment and the different markets of the country. The country is in constant evolution and its markets are highly competitive. These factors have forced American brands to innovate.

US Brands create the US Lifestyle

The case of the giant Starbucks :

Starbucks to enter into new markets has many habits to carry out numerous market studies allowing him to apprehend in the smallest details the environment in which he will potentially launch. These studies have led the brand to more or less adapt to the cultural differences of the country.

Indeed, tea culture is of vital importance in the country and starting to develop a promotional campaign on coffee could be seen as aggressive and / or offensive on the part of Chinese consumers. For this, the brand played on the Glocal “Think Global but act Local”. It has established itself in areas with high visibility and traffic and has introduced to its offer typical Chinese products based on local teas. This enthronement in Chinese culture allowed him to quickly develop franchises throughout the country.

Another very important point that develops the brand is its branding. The goal of Starbucks in China was to become an aspirational brand and to give a “stamp” to its brand so that it can become a brand beloved by consumers and whose consumer experience remains engraved in their mind.

Branding is essential for US brands

To grow in China, American companies or not, Branding is one of the key factors of success. The brand perception of China is very important for consumers as it is a sign of social distinction and a booster of confidence.

It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with Chinese consumers who have a habit of having a certain mistrust with the marks due to the counterfeiting that governs the country. Chinese consumers tend to buy a brand because they identify with it, the interest of a brand by individuals creates a strong commitment to it.

What is Branding in China? Almost Everything

Branding in China is essentially online. As said previously more than 750 million Chinese have internet. China represents the largest Internet sphere in the world and its peculiarity is that it is completely closed and separated from the rest of the world. Over time, the country has built a unique ecosystem that meets the requirements of the country.

Digital is a necessary requirement in brand development strategies in the country. Many brands have understood this, building their E-reputation on various social media in China.

How to Develop Branding in China?

Good question that every US brand should ask before investing in China.

1 Ereputation

In the US you are famous, in Europe you are well know but in China you start from Scratch … and need to work on your image, your ereputation first with

1. Positive Reviews
2. PR: let the Online Press make your publicity
3. Work on your brand name on Search Engine
4. Work with influencers to test your products

2 Awareness

After getting a positive image, you can start to work on your awareness. Awareness needs investment, it is basically Advertising.

1. You can work of course on Search Engine Baidu to get visitors (SEO or SEA)
2. You can leverage KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) to create word of Mouth
3. You can also Buy DSP, Banners Ads or use Social Media Advertising to create Big exposure.

Michael Kors Case:

This is the case of the well-known brand Michael Kors, which has relied on social networks to build its brand image in the country and has contributed greatly to its success as it was one of the most sought-after luxury brands on the Web. The brand has positioned itself on the various social media offered by China, including WeChat and Weibo, the two most active networks in the country.

Innovative Marketing Campaign

Michael Kors has launched numerous communication campaigns on these two networks to develop his image and reach as many consumers as possible. These different campaigns are limited to the sharing of different contents relating to luxury, travel or the brand itself. To energize and animate these different accounts, she offered competitions to promote interaction with individuals and associated with influencers to represent the brand and become viral.

How to Sell your Brand to Chinese Consumers

Adapt to Chinese consumers’ requirements

The analysis of Chinese consumers and their differences with western consumers have facilitated the introduction of US brands in the country. Indeed, China is a collectivist society where the group takes precedence over individuals.

Following the standards and rules of society is in the culture of individuals who, in their buying decision process take strongly into consideration the opinion of others. These socio-demographic elements justify the importance for individuals to belong to a group and to be socially distinctive.

This social distinction contributes to the strong relationship between consumers and brands in the country. Appearance is a crucial principle in China and the brand plays the role of carrier of the value of quality, prestige and authenticity.

Position: Quality, prestige and authenticity

For this, the quality of the products is an essential expectation on the part of these consumers. In an environment punctuated by counterfeiting, Chinese consumers are more likely to trust foreign brands that have a “quality label” in the country. However, the quality of purchase also lies in its overall process from order to delivery. This is one of the challenges for US companies that have to deal with an E-commerce market that must go fast. Consumers have high expectations in terms of delivery time, packaging and customer service.

Control your pricing

The second consumer expectation is price. Price is an indicator of quality for consumers. Brands must then review their margins and thus their prices to attract consumers on the E-commerce platforms. Imported products are expensive in the country and E-commerce platforms make it easier to buy luxury brands in so far as to pay more expensive what delights consumers. However, with the development of the distribution, delivery times, and registration fees on the platforms it is necessary for a brand to practice prices that remain attractive to consumers in order to develop sales.

Invest in Top Chinese E-Commerce Platforms

Of course, you can use your website, and make a Chinese translation… but if you want to perform you have to leverage Chinese Commerce Platforms

Tmall

Tmall is a Giant, we can help you to create Store& Products pages, and sell on Tmall.

Tmall is not for small brands, and needs to have a strong potential to integrate this platform.

JD

We can help you to sell on JD and JD global. Contact us to get further information about our service and to get a quotation.

LittleRedBook

We have great case studies on LRB (Little Red Book ) Contact us to getting further information.

WeChat

You can sell via weChat … the most popular app in China, via the Wechat store or New WeChat MiniPrograms.

Develop your Distribution in China

You want to Sell via Distributors, it is possible and Agency like ours can help you.

Tmall B2D Business to distributors Connect Online-offline Distributors and Brands. We can help you to integrate this platform. Contact us for getting further information.

Do you need a partner?

We are a Digital Marketing Agency. What makes us special?

1. Cost Effective Solution
2. Results Driven
3. Pure Digital Player, we only do Digital in China since 2012
4. Experienced, with 600 clients in 5 years…
5. We are not supplied, we work as partners, advise and optimize Campaigns
6. We understand your Clients… we are your eyes on the Market

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Partner for your first Steps

Having a presence on-site is strongly recommended to facilitate exchanges in the country and to enable you to control, and control your distribution and customer relations. However, if you are unable to be present, we advise you to offer the services of a local partner who will act as an intermediary.

In China, American firms need to understand the importance of adapting to the Chinese consumption system if they want to develop their business and become sustainable

In order to do this, it is a matter of “asking for help” from an expert company with regard to the mutual development of a strategy for setting up in the market.