Afleveringen
-
AI is taking over the world by storm, and AI generated humans are becoming more popular. What does this mean for the ecosystem?
In this episode of Impulso Podcast, we sit down with Jensen, co-founder and CEO of Topview.ai, an AI-powered video creation platform.
With over 13 years of experience at Taobao, Jensen has been at the forefront of AI applications, especially in e-commerce and digital media. As AI-generated video becomes more sophisticated, Jensen shares how the shift from small, targeted AI models to large, multimodal models has transformed the industry since 2022.
From completely AI generated videos, to AI humans in the videos - how will AI change the future of content creation? Or even the videos we see on a daily basis?
Chapters:
00:01:04 AI Evolution: Before & After 2022
00:03:29 AI Acceleration & Market Impact
00:05:00 AI generated videos and how it is used
00:10:21 Can AI be the future of the Metaverse?
00:14:07 AI in Business & Global Expansion – Hangzhou’s tech ecosystem and China’s AI influence.
00:21:10 Closing Remarks – AI’s future and an invitation to explore China’s tech scene.
Featured materials:E46: SenseTime founder’s passing & AI companies’ challenges in China, The Impulso Podcast
Tabcut report, Momentum Works
-
BYD is now outselling automotive giants like Toyota and Volkswagen in China. But beyond the numbers, a bigger shift is happening—Chinese EV brands are moving away from traditional dealerships and into shopping malls.
In this episode, we explore China’s electric vehicle revolution, breaking down the numbers behind its EV boom and uncovering why mall showrooms are replacing dealerships, and the economics driving this shift.
From sleek in-mall showrooms to live-streamed car sales and in-store cafés, China’s EV industry is transforming not just how cars are made, but how they’re sold. The way we buy cars is changing—China is leading the charge, but will the rest of the world follow?
Featured materials:
E105: Collapse of a Chinese EV company, livestreamed, The Impulso Podcast
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
在本期节目中，我们与中国的电商资深专家凯飞一起探讨拼多多的成功故事。凯飞深入剖析了该公司独特的电商模式，并作为行业专家提供了独到见解。从拼多多在中国低线城市的起源，到其通过Temu实现的全球野心，我们讨论了拼多多如何通过聚焦价格优势和效率重塑了消费者行为。我们还分析了该公司对成本效益的专注、与阿里巴巴和京东的激烈竞争，以及在维持低价的同时平衡供应商关系的挑战。不仅如此，凯飞还分享了对电商未来的看法、创新的作用，以及在竞争激烈的全球市场中保持增长的挑战。章节： 00:01:30：拼多多的崛起00:05:20：Temu的颠覆性战略00:19:15：为什么对价格的执着是Temu的秘密武器00:30:25：增长与盈利之战00:42:45：Temu的全球扩张冒险精选材料: Who is Temu, 2024, Momentum Works:https://momentum.asia/product/temu-2-years-on/Behind Pinduoduo’s ¥10 billion merchant subsidies | Impulso E102 https://youtu.be/FKENtoznAJk
-
What makes Pinduoduo one of the most disruptive forces in e-commerce? In this episode, we explore the success story of Pinduoduo with Kaifei, a seasoned expert in China’s e-commerce. Kaifei provides a deep dive into the company’s unique approach to e-commerce and offers insights as an industry expert. From its origin in China's lower-tier cities to its global ambitions with Temu, we discuss how Pinduoduo’s focus on affordability and efficiency has reshaped consumer behavior. We also break down the company’s focus on cost-effectiveness, its intense competition with Alibaba and JD.com, and the challenges of maintaining low prices while balancing supplier relationships.Not only that, Kaifei also offers thoughts on the future of e-commerce, the role of innovation, and the challenges of maintaining growth in a competitive global market.Chapters:00:01:30: The Rise of Pinduoduo 00:05:20: Temu’s Disruptive Strategy00:19:15: Why price obsession is Temu’s secret weapon00:30:25: Growth vs. Profit Battle00:42:45: Temu’s Global Expansion GambleFeatured materials: Who is Temu, 2024, Momentum Works:https://momentum.asia/product/temu-2-years-on/Behind Pinduoduo’s ¥10 billion merchant subsidies | Impulso E102 https://youtu.be/FKENtoznAJk
-
The United States was TikTok Shop’s biggest market in 2024 - with a GMV of US$9 billion!
In this episode, we unpack how the 400k stores and 11 million influencers are driving TikTok Shop (and video commerce – contributing to 58% of GMV) in the U.S., featuring insights from our “TikTok Shop in the U.S. 2024” report.
Tune in as we explore why beauty products dominate video commerce sales (not just in the U.S. but globally), the cultural and logistical hurdles why live commerce thrives in China but struggles in the US, and what TikTok’s uncertain future could mean for the development of live commerce in the US.
Chapters:
00:05:16: Unpacking TikTok Shop's Revenue Streams
00:10:00: Influencers as The Powerhouse Behind TikTok Sales
00:15:00: The Potential of Live Commerce in the U.S.?
00:17:21: Beauty as the Top Category of TikTok Shop
00:21:13: TikTok Shop's Potential Impact on U.S. Live Commerce
Featured materials:TikTok Shop in the U.S. 2024, Momentum Works
-
In this episode, we’re joined by Freeman Ding, a pioneer of China’s consumer internet boom who worked in Chinese tech giants like Baidu, and even Dianping during the $9.5B Meituan-Dianping merger.
Tune in as Freeman dives into why China’s tech ecosystem remains unmatched and Shanghai’s crucial role in the development of consumer tech. He also breaks down the key drivers behind Meituan’s food delivery dominance, and the need for local services platform to balance between low frequency and high frequency use cases.
Freeman also challenges the buzz around “super apps,” arguing that only WeChat truly fits the label. Finally, we explore the global ambitions of Chinese tech giants — TikTok, SHEIN and Meituan — can they replicate China’s playbook? Or will regulatory and cultural barriers prevail?
Chapters:
00:01:14 Life in Shanghai vs. Singapore:
00:06:49 Why Shanghai breeds consumer tech unicorns
00:13:05 Rise of Meituan, from group-buying wars to food delivery dominance
00:39:44 The “Yelp” of China?
00:48:46 WeChat is China’s only superapp
00:56:20 Can Meituan/TikTok conquer global markets?
Featured materials:
E42: Why were 2011~16 golden years of Chinese tech?, The Impulso Podcast
E95:How Meituan overtook FoodPanda in Hong Kong, and what’s next?, The Impulso Podcast
[Case Study] meituan’s business clarity, Momentum Works
-
So, TikTok went dark after the US ban, for about 14 hours. Then, it was back online, with a message crediting its return to “President Trump’s efforts.”
TikTok, with over 170 million users in the US, is one of the biggest platforms in the U.S. with a huge ecosystem of creators, merchants, and consumers. Its brief shutdown caused a stir, even prompting some users to flock to Xiaohongshu with the trending hashtag #TikTokRefugees.
TikTok’s return came after President Trump specifically confirmed there will be no liability for any company that helped TikTok from going dark before an executive order to be issued on day 1 to keep TikTok running.
How would things evolve from here? Will TikTok survive in the medium and long term in the US?
Tune in to find out more!
Chapters:
00:00:15: The Dynamics of the TikTok Ban00:01:16: Trump's Role in TikTok's Temporary Shutdown00:14:02: TikTok's CEO00:18:33: Users Seeking Refuge in Xiao Hong Shu?
Featured materials:How will TikTok’s fortunes in the US evolve from here?, TheLowDown
E66: TikTok has no good options, The Impulso Podcast
-
What makes capybaras so irresistibly popular amongst Chinese youth? From their zen-like calm to their unbothered personalities, these gentle rodents have become internet sensations. Tune in as we dive into the capybara craze—their rising popularity in China, the carefree energy they represent, and how that resonates with today's youth. But are capybaras just a passing trend, or do they symbolise something deeper—like the dream of a carefree life in an increasingly competitive world? Join us as we unpack the cultural phenomenon, discuss how it reflects modern work-life stress, and reflect on 2024 while embracing "capybara energy" as we go into 2025.Chapters:00:00:10: What is a Capybara?00:01:45: Rising popularity of capybara in China 00:07:00: Why do people relate to capybaras? 00:11:00: The aftereffects of involution 00:18:15 Our wishes for everyone in 2025
-
Baidu backed Ji Yue Auto, an EV manufacturer, found itself in deep trouble after failing to pay its employees’ social security. One of Jiyue’s live stream hosts even broke down mid livestream,“I worked so hard, and now the company is gone?”But Jiyue isn’t the first (and certainly won’t be the last) EV manufacturer to face such challenges. In China’s hyper-competitive EV market, we’ve seen similar collapses, consolidations, and even brands turning to global markets to escape the intense domestic competition.Tune in as we discuss the fall of Jiyue Auto, why Baidu and Geely refused to invest more in this joint venture, and what’s next for the EV market in China.Chapters:00:00:40: Who is Jiyue Auto? 00:05:00: Involution of EV in China 00:08:00: What exactly happened to Jiyue? 00:13:00: Livesellers breakdown mid stream 00:17:00: China’s automotive industry is too competitive - what’s next? Featured materials:Wechat article on car rankings in China: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/kvKHcRlzQqhHh_vuAtQKXwA Chinese EV Manufacturers deep trouble, livestreamed, The Lowdown: https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/a-chinese-ev-manufacturers-deep-trouble-livestreamed/#JiYueAuto livestreamers in tears after company announces bankruptcy, Youtube shorts, Momentum Works: https://youtube.com/shorts/J8XxioeggDg#JiYueAuto livestreamer breaks down after hearing of company's bankruptcy, Youtube shorts, Momentum Works: https://youtube.com/shorts/3c6d3uqzhkA#JiYue owed advertising agent CNY37 million!, Youtube shorts, Momentum Works: https://youtube.com/shorts/F99iqXkRlmk
-
Originally dubbed Singles day by 4 university students, 11.11 has transformed into one of the world’s largest shopping festivals.
In 2009, Alibaba launched the first 11.11 shopping festival, generating RMB 50 million in GMV despite a website crash. Since then, it has grown massively, and today, 11.11 spans several weeks instead of just one day.
But has 11.11 lost its charm? Tune is as we explore why Chinese platforms stopped reporting GMV, how the festival’s expansion impacts consumer behavior, and whether the rise of frequent sales like 7.7 and 12.12 has led to “sale fatigue.”
Are shopping festivals still relevant, or have they lost their significance in today’s competitive ecommerce landscape?
P.S. Did you know Taylor Swift kicked off Alibaba’s 24-hour 11.11 shopping event in 2019?
Chapters:00:00:15: The beginnings of 11.11
00:05:00: How Alibaba turned 11.11 into a shopping festival
00:09:00: Why companies stopped announcing GMV
00:12:00: Has 11.11 lost its meaning?
00:18:00: What does this mean for retailers?
Featured materials: Behind the Labubu craze: PopMart business explained | Impulso E103:https://youtu.be/PLIq2UkvgwACommentary: What’s behind the rise of Chinese e-commerce platform Temu in the US?, CNA:https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/china-e-commerce-shopping-app-temu-shein-tiktok-us-amazon-4245901What 11.11 Singles’ Day sales no longer say about China’s economy, The Lowdown:https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/what-11-11-singles-day-sales-no-longer-say-about-chinas-economy/
-
What is Labubu? Why are Pop Mart's blind boxes so addictive? From the thrill of unboxing to the cultural phenomenon of "ugly cute" characters, these whimsical creations have captured the hearts (and wallets) of Gen Z.
In this episode of Impulso Podcast, Jianggan, Sabrina, and special guest Phyllis—our resident Pop Mart enthusiast—dive into the fascinating world of Pop Mart. Tune in as we unpack the company’s innovative business model, its exclusive IPs, and the meteoric rise that has turned Pop Mart into a global powerhouse generating billions in revenue.
With a growing portfolio of IPs and even their own theme park, could Pop Mart be setting its sights on becoming the next Disney? The big question remains: can Pop Mart build a deep emotional connection to its characters, or is this just another fleeting trend?
Chapters:
00:00:40: The craze behind PopMart explained
00:04:00: PopMart’s success in numbers
00:07:20: Who are the people behind PopMart and Labubu?
00:10:00 PopMart’s IP strategy
00:14:00: Labubu has a boyfriend?
-
On 21 November, two stories rocked China’s ecommerce scene, with global implications.
(In the previous episode, we discussed the first story: Alibaba’s merger of its domestic Chinese and international ecommerce businesses.)
In this episode, we dive into the second story—PDD Group’s Q3 earnings miss. But was the ‘miss’ engineered deliberately because all the merchant support costs were planned, or was it a lapse in execution?
Tune in as we explore:
Pinduoduo’s ¥10 billion merchant subsidies;
Why PDD or Temu seems to choose to directly engage rather than hire lobbyists;
Temu's opening of a full marketplace mode in the United States;
Pinduoduo’s focused operations, and its similarity to global retail giants like Walmart
The ecommerce competition in China and globally is entering a very interesting and probably even more intensified phase now.
Chapters:
00:00:45: Pinduoduo’s stock price falls 10%?
00:03:45 PDD’s frank earnings spook investors
00:06:45: Was the miss deliberate?
00:12:20: Temu launched a marketplace model
00:14:45 Intensifying ecommerce landscape - how are players adapting?
-
On 21 November, two stories rocked China’s ecommerce scene, with global implications.
In this episode, we discuss the first story: Alibaba Group’s announcement to merge its domestic Chinese and international ecommerce businesses into the new Alibaba E-Commerce Business Group, led by Jiang Fan.
This move aims to streamline operations, foster synergies, and better position Alibaba against formidable rivals like Pinduoduo.
(The second story—PDD Group’s Q3 earnings miss—is covered in episode 102.)
In this episode, we explore:
Jiang Fan's journey from a mobile advertising entrepreneur to a pivotal leader at Alibaba;
Challenges of navigating leadership amidst corporate restructuring;
The significance of this merger in a rapidly evolving ecommerce landscape;
How this merger mirrors Pinduoduo and Temu’s strategy
The ecommerce competition in China and globally is entering a very interesting and probably even more intensified phase now.
Chapters:
00:00:20: Alibaba’s ecommerce merger
00:00:50: Who is Jiang Fan?
00:08:30: Transforming Alibaba, and its reversals
00:11:45: Challenges of leading a big organization
-
In our 100th episode of Impulso Podcast, we unpack China’s milestone of delivering 150 Billion parcels in just one year - that’s enough parcels to fill up 30 million football fields!
Tune in as we break down the numbers, explore the logistics behind this scale, and discuss:
How goods sold at just ¥9.9 (with free shipping!) can still turn a profit
Automation vs. human efficiency in handling millions of parcels daily
Our first-hand observations from visit to one of China’s busiest logistics hubs
The story of the 150 billionth parcel
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights into the trends shaping the consumer tech ecosystem. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes!
Chapters:00:30:00: China sets new record: 150B parcels sent a year?!
00:03:30 Peak daily number of parcels delivered on just a random Tuesday?
00:06:45 11.11 hauls
00:08:20 Are Chinese brands profitable after selling goods at such low prices?
00:12:15 Logistics facility sends out 4 millions parcels a day
00:18:20 What was the 150B parcel?
-
Building on our discussion of Sea Groups Q3 earnings, this week we unpack Sea Group’s US$4.6B loan book, which has grown 30% QoQ while keeping non-performing loans low.
Tune in as we break down how Sea Money leverages Shopee’s customer data to assess credit risk, fueling growth for both its digital financial arm and Shopee, with BNPL services encouraging users to finance larger ticket items.
On the other hand, Grab’s loan book, although smaller—at just 10% of Sea’s loan book—has potential. While Grab’s user base skews more premium and its ride-hailing model sees fewer transactions than e-commerce, it’s steadily growing. With 41.9 million monthly transacting users and expanding services across income segments, Grab is creating new opportunities in digital finance.
Chapters:00:00:37 SEAMoney’s US$4.6B loan book
00:04:00 How do tech players support lending?
00:06:20 SEA maintains a low non-performing loans (NPL)
00:12:28 Shopee Paylater boosts ecommerce growth
00:18:15 Does Grab’s financial services have potential?
-
Sea Group announced expectation-beating earnings in Q3, sending stock prices up by 10%. A key highlight? SPX Express.
Has Shopee’s in-house logistics arm finally caught up to J&T Express in parcel volume?
Join us as we dive into how Shopee’s investment in strengthening its in-house logistics is paying off, deepening its “moat” against rising e-commerce rivals such as TikTok Shop and Temu. But is this enough for Shopee to be invincible? (Probably not)
We’ll also explore Shopee’s latest pick-up lockers, and their potential on easing reverse logistics in the region and transforming the consumer experience.
Chapters:
00:00:10: Shopee’s expectation-beating Q3 earnings
00:01:30: SPX Express parcel volume on par with J&T?
00:05:45: J&T’s revenue per parcel is falling
00:09:40: Shopee is deepening its moat against competitors 00:14:00: Reverse logistics, the next step
-
Trump returns to the White House, Mr Modi meets President Xi in Russia. Are businesses ready to survive a world of shifting alliances and tariff threats?
Back by popular requests, we’re re-introducing our weekly recap format in this episode as we dive into the latest economic and political developments reshaping business strategies across borders. As the world watches the U.S. elections, many companies globally, especially cross-border businesses in Asia, are already making bold moves to adapt—with some even setting up shop in Paraguay to avoid potential tariffs.
We also discuss the evolving coffee landscape, including Luckin Coffee’s and Cotti Coffee’s ambitious expansion plans. Where does incumbent Starbucks stand amidst this intensifying competition? Tune in as we weigh in on operational differences, consumer behaviour, and brand strategies of coffee giants globally.
-
(Only) after pouring $72 billion into Southeast Asia, venture capitalists are hitting the reset button in Southeast Asia?
Lightspeed Ventures' report, Southeast Asia: Resetting Expectations, has sparked discussions in our community groups for its honest take on the region's challenges and opportunities, with some calling it “finally an honest report on Southeast Asia.”
But what does it really mean to reset expectations for this region?
Tune into this latest episode as we dive into the evolving landscape of venture capital investment in Southeast Asia, unpacking why the region’s tech growth hasn’t fully met expectations, the unique role of conglomerates, and what this reset means for future investments and founders navigating these markets.
-
Earlier in September, Meituan went live in Saudi Arabia under its global brand, Keeta.
This comes more than a year after Meituan entered its first overseas market, Hong Kong, where it quickly overtook established players like Foodpanda, becoming the market leader in order volume due to aggressive promotions and a focus on low Average Order Value (AOV) meals.
Now, Meituan is entering Saudi Arabia, a promising market for food delivery but one that presents unique cultural and operational dynamics for Meituan compared to its previous markets. And unlike many Chinese tech companies going global, Meituan faces the challenge of being an operationally heavy business.
Will Tony Qiu, Head of International Business at Meituan and former lead of DiDi’s expansion in Latin America, be able to navigate these complexities?
Tune in to the latest episode of the Impulso Podcast as we explore Meituan's global expansion strategy, and what’s next for the food delivery giant.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:50 Is food in Hong Kong more expensive than Singapore?
5:58 Rise of two dish rice in Hong Kong
6:50 Meituan’s Keeta wins in Hong Kong?
11:00 What is rival Foodpanda doing?
12:15 Low AOV as a market entry strategy
14:18 Meituan’s expansion into Saudi Arabia
24:50 Why did Meituan’s share price rise?
Featured materials:
Meituan is entering Hong Kong, will it beat Foodpanda and Deliveroo there?, The Low Down
Meituan becomes top food delivery player in Hong Kong, The Low Down
Watch Out! KeeTa’s Rapid Rise in Hong Kong, measurable.ai
Total Restaurant Receipts and Restaurant Purchases, Hong Kong Government
McDonald’s to increase prices in Hong Kong by about 2.6% in new year, South China Morning Post
Will Meituan beat DeliveryHero in Saudi Arabia?, The Low Down
Meituan launches in Saudi Arabia, where next?, The Low Down
Should Meituan acquire Foodpanda?, The Low Down
In focus: food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia, Momentum Works
Picture Sources:
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3199243/two-dish-rice-cheap-fabulously-rich-and-hong-kong-icon-time-declare-it-part-citys-intangible
https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/lifehack-teaches-you-how-order-cai-fan-pro
-
Wenheyou (文和友), a Chinese restaurant often dubbed the "Disneyland of Chinese cuisine", serves over 40,000 diners a day!
The 6-story restaurant (located in Changsha, China) is meticulously designed to replicate the old Changsha street scene, complete with vintage items and tattered signboards. Through careful design and storytelling, Wenheyou transports visitors back in time, offering a nostalgic experience.
Wenheyou has become a cultural icon, and a must visit for tourists, in Changsha. But how does it manage the unique operational challenges of running a 6-story restaurant serving tens of thousands of customers daily?
Tune into this episode of the Impulso podcast as we dive into the Disneyland of Chinese cuisine, Wenheyou.
The trend of experience-driven dining is just one of many innovative concepts emerging in China's fast-evolving and competitive F&B scene.
Join Momentum Works F&B innovation immersion to Changsha this November to see first-hand Wenheyou and other innovative F&B concepts, as well as best practices in operations and supply chain management.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:10 Changsha, the entertainment city of China
2:20 Wenheyou: Disneyland of Chinese cuisine
4:50 Chayan Yuese in Changsha
8:40 Product expansion in Wenheyou
12:05 Rise of Experience driven dining
19:45 How does Wenheyou manage 40,000 diners a day?
23:15 MW F&B immersion to Changsha
Featured materials:
Momentum Works Immersions: F&B innovations
Momentum Works: Transforming Frontline Industries
Video sources:
Disneyland Paris Welcomes Back The Magic With A Reopening Starting June 17 | Disney Parks
FULL Magic Happens Parade 2024 at Disneyland Park! - Disney 100 Years of Wonder Celebration
Frozen Themed Land & 2 Frozen Rides | World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland
BACK TO THE 80'S | A Vintage Restaurant Tour | Wenheyou, Changsha, Hunan
Guangzhou's Food Court on Steroids: Wenheyou Super
Old China in Wenheyou | Discover GuangzhouHaidilao Dance - Laat meer zien
