A detailed month-by-month breakdown of what it actually costs to operate an e-commerce store in China. Covers fixed costs (platform fees, agency retainers, content production), variable costs (advertising, KOL campaigns, logistics), and seasonal spikes around Double 11 and 618. Includes three budget scenarios — entry-level, competitive, and aggressive — with specific line items and benchmarks based on real store operations across Tmall Global and JD Worldwide.

An estimated 70% of foreign brands that enter China's e-commerce market fail within the first two years. This analysis breaks down the seven most common reasons — from unrealistic revenue expectations and underfunded marketing budgets to distributor dependency, platform rule violations, and zero localization. Each section includes real examples, specific benchmarks, and the operational fixes that separate the brands that survive from the ones that quietly shut down their stores.

A case-by-case analysis of foreign brands that exited the Chinese market — from Dolce & Gabbana's PR crisis and Forever 21's positioning failure to the 2024-2025 wave of retail withdrawals. Each exit reveals a pattern: cultural missteps, under-investment in localization, wrong pricing, or failure to adapt to China's platform-driven ecosystem. Includes the specific lessons brand managers can apply to avoid the same mistakes.

A practical, phase-by-phase China market entry checklist built for brand managers leading their company's expansion into China. Covers 50 action items organized across five stages: market research and validation, legal and IP protection, platform setup, marketing preparation, and launch execution. Includes timelines, responsible parties, and common mistakes at each phase. Built from real market entry projects.

Switching Tmall Partners is one of the highest-stakes decisions a foreign brand makes in China. This guide covers the complete TP transition process — from contract review and data handover to store continuity and customer service planning. Includes a 12-week transition timeline, data handover checklist, red flags to watch, and how to ensure zero disruption to your Tmall store during the switch.

Beyond the deposit, annual fee, and commission, selling on Tmall Global involves a layer of costs that rarely appear in platform documentation or agency proposals. This guide exposes every hidden expense — from Alipay service fees and mandatory promotion minimums to content production costs, return logistics, customer service staffing, annual renewal traps, and the real cost of shipping insurance. Specific numbers included for every line item.

Most foreign brands in China measure the wrong things. This guide provides a three-stage framework for evaluating your China strategy — Year 1 (foundation and awareness), Year 2 (growth and retention), and Year 3+ (profitability and market share). Includes specific KPIs, benchmarks, a 10-point self-assessment scorecard, and guidance on when to pivot, double down, or exit.