The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn. From the corner of the divan of Persian saddle-bags on whichContinue reading “Chapter One”
Author Archives: Sriram@Searchlight
Chapter Two
“Oh, I can’t explain. When I like people immensely, I never tell their names to any one. It is like surrendering a part of them. I have grown to love secrecy. It seems to be the one thing that can make modern life mysterious or marvellous to us. The commonest thing is delightful if oneContinue reading “Chapter Two”
China 2023: Navigating changing tides
As China opens up once again, many global businesses that had postponed or toned down their activities and engagement with this market will start thinking about the future. Here are three things that have changed over the last 3 years Within the space of a week in December, China relaxed all the COVID restrictions thatContinue reading “China 2023: Navigating changing tides”
The coming cinema boom in China
China was the biggest box-office market in 2021 (partly aided by lockdowns in the US) and with the lifting of COVID measures, is likely to come roaring back in 2023 It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a movie hall in China. The last time I went, every alternate seat was blocked off,Continue reading “The coming cinema boom in China”
China 2023 – The Return of Opportunity
China has finally emerged from zero-COVID. Once the population recovers from mass infections, we see a significant opportunity for brands and businesses to get back to growth in China in 2023 and beyond. Get our detailed report based on official economic statistics, consumer research and social media trends.
Fake meat and non-alcoholic beer – why one does well while the other struggles
Quick – which do you think is doing better in the market? Plant-based meat or non-alcoholic beer? It may not be the one you read about more often these days… In recent times, companies like Beyond Meat have brought plant-based meat substitutes into the public eye considerably. However, when examining some facts and figures aboutContinue reading “Fake meat and non-alcoholic beer – why one does well while the other struggles”
Famous in China (9)
The largest selling brand of BEV (battery electric vehicles, basically 100% electric) is the Chinese brand BYD (比亚迪) which has recently overtaken Tesla – a classic example of a brand that’s famous in China and actually leads its category, but isn’t known in the rest of the world. Sales of electric vehicles continue to growContinue reading “Famous in China (9)”
Famous in China (8) – Or not quite…?
Sometimes you miss a chance to become a household name because despite being literally in every household…you don’t have a name… does that matter? Over the last few months, China went through a series of pretty strict lockdowns. Starting with Shenzhen early in the year, Shanghai from March through May and Beijing a little later,Continue reading “Famous in China (8) – Or not quite…?”
Lockdown Creates Time to Find Opportunity
Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do. Strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do. – Chess Grandmaster Savielly Tartakower As Shanghai enters its 8th week of city-wide lockdown, and other cities are just beginning their COVID measures, times have never been tougher for many businesses.Continue reading “Lockdown Creates Time to Find Opportunity”
Shanghai lockdown – lessons for consumer businesses
We’re now on day 36 of lockdowns in Shanghai (longer in Pudong) and it’s been very educational watching what consumers do, what they buy, which businesses manage to create opportunities for themselves and so on. Here are some key lessons we learned. 1. The importance of diversified supply chain Shanghai is, after all, just oneContinue reading “Shanghai lockdown – lessons for consumer businesses”
Addressing the right opportunity 