China Insider

News.

What we're reading, writing, and arguing about — every week.

Retail

The World's Richest Man's Mom Was Spotted Shopping at Miniso — and Buying Plushies

Shoppers at Miniso's global flagship on Shanghai's Nanjing East Road got a surprise this week when Maye Musk — mother of Elon and a billionaire-adjacent celebri

Sep 12 min read
Fashion

Crocs and Pokémon Launch 30th-Anniversary Collection Led by Poké Ball Clog

Crocs and Pokémon mark the franchise's 30th anniversary with a Poké Ball clog, two Jibbitz charm packs, and a three-shoe character wave.

Sep 11 min read
Marketing

An internet aunt, a pineapple pun, and a milk brand's bid to bottle good luck

If you've spent any time on Chinese social media recently, there's a decent chance you've had 潮汕如姨 stuck in your head — the Chaoshan aunt who became an overnigh

Sep 12 min read
Retail

A mall in China turned last-minute summer homework into a full-on “competition”

A mall in China turned last-minute summer homework into a full-on “competition” For shopping malls, the old formula was simple: run a sale, offer some coupons,

Aug 314 min read
Automotive

A Xiaomi dealer turned a 20-car showroom into a giant collectible display case

There's something almost too satisfying about watching a car slot perfectly into a display cube.

Aug 312 min read
Food & Beverage

Sushiro Is Turning One of Gaming's Best Indie Hits Into an Actual Sushi Meal

Most restaurant and game collaborations require some creative contortion to make them work. A strategy game meets a bubble tea brand?

Aug 301 min read
Tech

Tencent's WorkBuddy just threw a four-day 'coffee festival' — and the AI is the barista

For most productivity tools, coffee is a punchline — the thing you're supposedly replacing with better focus.

Aug 302 min read
Fashion

PUMA Turned Its 75-Year Archive Into a Shanghai Pop-Up Museum

PUMA has a habit of mining its back catalog, but this month it's going deeper than a re-release.

Aug 292 min read
Food & Beverage

This Chinese Snack Giant Just Gave Its Mascot a Debut Single

Sunflower seed giant Chacha — the brand behind those ubiquitous little blue-and-white packets — just did something no Chinese snack maker has pulled off before:

Aug 292 min read
Marketing

Taobao turned 'cute pets' into a crime-scene art exhibition — starring the wreckage

Every pet owner knows the moment: you open the door, the sofa has sprouted stuffing, the tissue box has exploded into snow, and the culprit is staring up at you

Aug 282 min read
Automotive

A Chinese EV Just Got Jimmy Choo's Signature Crystals — and Diana's Blue Satin

Jimmy Choo didn't just lend his name to a car. He designed one.

Aug 282 min read
Food & Beverage

Avène and Manner Team Up So You Can Get a Serum With Your Latte

Your next Manner order just got a lot more French.

Aug 271 min read