Ed Sander
@edsander.bsky.social
China Tech Research Editor for techbuzzchina.com
Speaker for ChinaTalk.nl | edsander.com
Study tour leader for ChinaTechTrip.com
Speaker for ChinaTalk.nl | edsander.com
Study tour leader for ChinaTechTrip.com
STATUS OF CHINA’S INSTANT RETAIL BATTLE - PART 2: WHAT DOES ALIBABA PLAN NOW?
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
November 11, 2025 at 9:06 AM
STATUS OF CHINA’S INSTANT RETAIL BATTLE - PART 2: WHAT DOES ALIBABA PLAN NOW?
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
STATUS OF CHINA’S INSTANT RETAIL BATTLE - PART 1: WHAT HAS IT BROUGHT ALIBABA?
The dust on this battle has largely settled, and Latepost just released a long article on the current status, which I will summarise in two posts, today and tomorrow.
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
The dust on this battle has largely settled, and Latepost just released a long article on the current status, which I will summarise in two posts, today and tomorrow.
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
November 10, 2025 at 8:43 AM
STATUS OF CHINA’S INSTANT RETAIL BATTLE - PART 1: WHAT HAS IT BROUGHT ALIBABA?
The dust on this battle has largely settled, and Latepost just released a long article on the current status, which I will summarise in two posts, today and tomorrow.
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
The dust on this battle has largely settled, and Latepost just released a long article on the current status, which I will summarise in two posts, today and tomorrow.
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
Reposted by Ed Sander
Hell of a thing to put next to a statue of Joan of Arc. (h/t David Pilling)
October 6, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Hell of a thing to put next to a statue of Joan of Arc. (h/t David Pilling)
October 4, 2025 at 11:55 AM
That's quite a nice stage tomorrow ...
www.virke.no/konferanser/...
www.virke.no/konferanser/...
September 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
That's quite a nice stage tomorrow ...
www.virke.no/konferanser/...
www.virke.no/konferanser/...
In my keynote at the Hovedorganisasjonen Virke Arena conference on 18/9, I will share how Temu keeps changing its business models and the impact of the cancellation of the import tax exemption on Temu in the US.
There is a lot to learn from this for us in Europe.
See you in Lillestrøm, Norway.
There is a lot to learn from this for us in Europe.
See you in Lillestrøm, Norway.
September 16, 2025 at 3:25 PM
In my keynote at the Hovedorganisasjonen Virke Arena conference on 18/9, I will share how Temu keeps changing its business models and the impact of the cancellation of the import tax exemption on Temu in the US.
There is a lot to learn from this for us in Europe.
See you in Lillestrøm, Norway.
There is a lot to learn from this for us in Europe.
See you in Lillestrøm, Norway.
In this 2nd part of our investigation into Tencent’s e-commerce revival, we explain Tencent’s vision for WeChat e-commerce and take a closer look at the way WeChat’s ecosystem facilitates e-commerce.
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/tencents-e...
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/tencents-e...
September 12, 2025 at 6:55 AM
In this 2nd part of our investigation into Tencent’s e-commerce revival, we explain Tencent’s vision for WeChat e-commerce and take a closer look at the way WeChat’s ecosystem facilitates e-commerce.
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/tencents-e...
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/tencents-e...
Reposted by Ed Sander
Bij China denk je misschien niet direct aan corporate social responsability, maar Valérie Hoeks weet wel beter. www.vnc-china.nl/events/china...
China Café, Corporate Social Responsibility in China - VNC | Vereniging Nederland China
China Café – September 8 in Utrecht
www.vnc-china.nl
August 26, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Bij China denk je misschien niet direct aan corporate social responsability, maar Valérie Hoeks weet wel beter. www.vnc-china.nl/events/china...
In a new Tech Buzz China report, I evaluate TikTok Shop’s progress.
▶️ How TikTok Shop is changing its e-commerce model and how live commerce is developing.
▶️ Details about the layoffs and management changes at TikTok Shop US.
▶️ The outlook and targets for TikTok Shop.
▶️ And much more ...
▶️ How TikTok Shop is changing its e-commerce model and how live commerce is developing.
▶️ Details about the layoffs and management changes at TikTok Shop US.
▶️ The outlook and targets for TikTok Shop.
▶️ And much more ...
July 13, 2025 at 11:56 AM
In a new Tech Buzz China report, I evaluate TikTok Shop’s progress.
▶️ How TikTok Shop is changing its e-commerce model and how live commerce is developing.
▶️ Details about the layoffs and management changes at TikTok Shop US.
▶️ The outlook and targets for TikTok Shop.
▶️ And much more ...
▶️ How TikTok Shop is changing its e-commerce model and how live commerce is developing.
▶️ Details about the layoffs and management changes at TikTok Shop US.
▶️ The outlook and targets for TikTok Shop.
▶️ And much more ...
▶️ Why it's not the cancellation of the de minimis in the US that caused Temu's sales to collapse.
▶️ Why we should look at what TikTok Shop did in elsewhere to manage our expectations.
▶️ Why a war broke out among food delivery/instant retail companies.
Full keynote:
mediathek.k5.de/video/the-bi...
▶️ Why we should look at what TikTok Shop did in elsewhere to manage our expectations.
▶️ Why a war broke out among food delivery/instant retail companies.
Full keynote:
mediathek.k5.de/video/the-bi...
July 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
▶️ Why it's not the cancellation of the de minimis in the US that caused Temu's sales to collapse.
▶️ Why we should look at what TikTok Shop did in elsewhere to manage our expectations.
▶️ Why a war broke out among food delivery/instant retail companies.
Full keynote:
mediathek.k5.de/video/the-bi...
▶️ Why we should look at what TikTok Shop did in elsewhere to manage our expectations.
▶️ Why a war broke out among food delivery/instant retail companies.
Full keynote:
mediathek.k5.de/video/the-bi...
Make sure you talk to some of the previous editors before signing anything ...
Sixth Tone is looking for a seasoned, passionate freelance editor.
July 4, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Make sure you talk to some of the previous editors before signing anything ...
Mid-December, WeChat launched a new ‘Send Gifts’ functionality. It was enthusiastically received since it echoed WeChat’s digitisation of the ‘hong bao’ (red envelopes) during Spring Festival in 2014.
Read all about it in our new Tech Buzz China report.
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/tencents-e...
Read all about it in our new Tech Buzz China report.
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/tencents-e...
June 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Mid-December, WeChat launched a new ‘Send Gifts’ functionality. It was enthusiastically received since it echoed WeChat’s digitisation of the ‘hong bao’ (red envelopes) during Spring Festival in 2014.
Read all about it in our new Tech Buzz China report.
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/tencents-e...
Read all about it in our new Tech Buzz China report.
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/tencents-e...
HOW JD HYPES ITS TAKEAWAY BUSINESS AND HURTS COFFEE STORES
Since the launch of its takeaway business, JD has been constantly releasing stunning numbers that I found hard to believe. Zouma Finance released an interesting article that sheds light on the numbers.
Read more: substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
Since the launch of its takeaway business, JD has been constantly releasing stunning numbers that I found hard to believe. Zouma Finance released an interesting article that sheds light on the numbers.
Read more: substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
June 19, 2025 at 10:33 AM
HOW JD HYPES ITS TAKEAWAY BUSINESS AND HURTS COFFEE STORES
Since the launch of its takeaway business, JD has been constantly releasing stunning numbers that I found hard to believe. Zouma Finance released an interesting article that sheds light on the numbers.
Read more: substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
Since the launch of its takeaway business, JD has been constantly releasing stunning numbers that I found hard to believe. Zouma Finance released an interesting article that sheds light on the numbers.
Read more: substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
Last month, I delivered a 100-minute session at a Philips event in Eindhoven.
Compared to China, Philips and many Western brands still hold competitive advantages in branding, service, quality, and innovation. But would that last?
Watch the video here: www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
Compared to China, Philips and many Western brands still hold competitive advantages in branding, service, quality, and innovation. But would that last?
Watch the video here: www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
June 18, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Last month, I delivered a 100-minute session at a Philips event in Eindhoven.
Compared to China, Philips and many Western brands still hold competitive advantages in branding, service, quality, and innovation. But would that last?
Watch the video here: www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
Compared to China, Philips and many Western brands still hold competitive advantages in branding, service, quality, and innovation. But would that last?
Watch the video here: www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
Video: Four Little Dragons Going Overseas
www.chinatalk.nl/video-four-l...
www.chinatalk.nl/video-four-l...
Video: Four Little Dragons Going Overseas - ChinaTalk
On June 5th 2025, ChinaTalk's Ed Sander shared insights about Chinese webshops at Fashion Talks 2025 in Antwerp, Belgium.
www.chinatalk.nl
June 12, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Video: Four Little Dragons Going Overseas
www.chinatalk.nl/video-four-l...
www.chinatalk.nl/video-four-l...
FOUR LITTLE DRAGONS GOING OVERSEAS
A video of my keynote at Fashion Talks 2025 in Antwerp, Belgium, explaining the wave of Chinese webshops that have arrived in the past years.
youtu.be/zc_7D75IAVA?...
A video of my keynote at Fashion Talks 2025 in Antwerp, Belgium, explaining the wave of Chinese webshops that have arrived in the past years.
youtu.be/zc_7D75IAVA?...
June 11, 2025 at 6:52 AM
FOUR LITTLE DRAGONS GOING OVERSEAS
A video of my keynote at Fashion Talks 2025 in Antwerp, Belgium, explaining the wave of Chinese webshops that have arrived in the past years.
youtu.be/zc_7D75IAVA?...
A video of my keynote at Fashion Talks 2025 in Antwerp, Belgium, explaining the wave of Chinese webshops that have arrived in the past years.
youtu.be/zc_7D75IAVA?...
Two Chinese coffee store brands, Luckin and Cotti, have gone abroad. Who are these brands and how did they change how Starbucks is doing business in China?
This is a slidecast of a presentation I gave during the K5 - Future Retail Xpedition study tour to China in October 2024. youtu.be/iIYDAKCyAls
This is a slidecast of a presentation I gave during the K5 - Future Retail Xpedition study tour to China in October 2024. youtu.be/iIYDAKCyAls
China's Coffee Wars
YouTube video by ChinaTalk - Ed Sander & Jessica Sun
youtu.be
June 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Two Chinese coffee store brands, Luckin and Cotti, have gone abroad. Who are these brands and how did they change how Starbucks is doing business in China?
This is a slidecast of a presentation I gave during the K5 - Future Retail Xpedition study tour to China in October 2024. youtu.be/iIYDAKCyAls
This is a slidecast of a presentation I gave during the K5 - Future Retail Xpedition study tour to China in October 2024. youtu.be/iIYDAKCyAls
I just finished reading a 16,000+ word account of a Chinese-born former R&D team manager’s 2.5 years at TikTok Shop US. It sheds some interesting insights into the issues at Chinese Tech companies in the US, in general, and TikTok Shop US specifically. Summary:
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
June 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I just finished reading a 16,000+ word account of a Chinese-born former R&D team manager’s 2.5 years at TikTok Shop US. It sheds some interesting insights into the issues at Chinese Tech companies in the US, in general, and TikTok Shop US specifically. Summary:
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
Predictions on the share of China's e-commerce in total retail sales:
Jack Ma (Alibaba founder) - 2013 - "will exceed 50% by 2022"
e-marketer - 2021 - "58.1% in 2024"
e-marketer - 2022 - "48.9% by 2024"
Joe Tsai (Alibaba chairman) - 2024 - "will exceed 40% in the next 5 years"
Reality check:
Jack Ma (Alibaba founder) - 2013 - "will exceed 50% by 2022"
e-marketer - 2021 - "58.1% in 2024"
e-marketer - 2022 - "48.9% by 2024"
Joe Tsai (Alibaba chairman) - 2024 - "will exceed 40% in the next 5 years"
Reality check:
June 6, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Predictions on the share of China's e-commerce in total retail sales:
Jack Ma (Alibaba founder) - 2013 - "will exceed 50% by 2022"
e-marketer - 2021 - "58.1% in 2024"
e-marketer - 2022 - "48.9% by 2024"
Joe Tsai (Alibaba chairman) - 2024 - "will exceed 40% in the next 5 years"
Reality check:
Jack Ma (Alibaba founder) - 2013 - "will exceed 50% by 2022"
e-marketer - 2021 - "58.1% in 2024"
e-marketer - 2022 - "48.9% by 2024"
Joe Tsai (Alibaba chairman) - 2024 - "will exceed 40% in the next 5 years"
Reality check:
FOR ALIBABA’S HEMA (FRESHIPPO) X DOES NOT MARK THE SPOT (PART 2)
Just three months ago, I wrote about how Hema was closing down some of its Hema X membership stores, reducing the total from 10 to 5. Now, two more stores in Shanghai and Beijing are closing June 30th.
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
Just three months ago, I wrote about how Hema was closing down some of its Hema X membership stores, reducing the total from 10 to 5. Now, two more stores in Shanghai and Beijing are closing June 30th.
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
FOR ALIBABA’S HEMA (FRESHIPPO), X DOES NOT MARK THE SPOT (PART 2)
Just… | Ed Sander (艾德)
FOR ALIBABA’S HEMA (FRESHIPPO), X DOES NOT MARK THE SPOT (PART 2)
Just three months ago, I wrote about how Hema was closing down some of its Hema X membership stores, reducing the total from 10 to 5....
www.linkedin.com
June 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
FOR ALIBABA’S HEMA (FRESHIPPO) X DOES NOT MARK THE SPOT (PART 2)
Just three months ago, I wrote about how Hema was closing down some of its Hema X membership stores, reducing the total from 10 to 5. Now, two more stores in Shanghai and Beijing are closing June 30th.
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
Just three months ago, I wrote about how Hema was closing down some of its Hema X membership stores, reducing the total from 10 to 5. Now, two more stores in Shanghai and Beijing are closing June 30th.
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
The days in which a train ride in first class gave you a quiet experience in which you could do some work are clearly over in The Netherlands. I've experienced a long CRM system training and a father lecturing his son about his gaming addiction today. 🤔
June 5, 2025 at 7:18 PM
The days in which a train ride in first class gave you a quiet experience in which you could do some work are clearly over in The Netherlands. I've experienced a long CRM system training and a father lecturing his son about his gaming addiction today. 🤔
WILL THE CHINESE DITCH QR CODE PAYMENTS?
QR codes have their limitations, especially for the elderly, and they could get damaged or be replaced by criminals. Ant Group, the Alibaba spin-off and company behind Alipay, now wants to change that with Alipay Touch.
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
QR codes have their limitations, especially for the elderly, and they could get damaged or be replaced by criminals. Ant Group, the Alibaba spin-off and company behind Alipay, now wants to change that with Alipay Touch.
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
June 3, 2025 at 11:34 AM
WILL THE CHINESE DITCH QR CODE PAYMENTS?
QR codes have their limitations, especially for the elderly, and they could get damaged or be replaced by criminals. Ant Group, the Alibaba spin-off and company behind Alipay, now wants to change that with Alipay Touch.
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
QR codes have their limitations, especially for the elderly, and they could get damaged or be replaced by criminals. Ant Group, the Alibaba spin-off and company behind Alipay, now wants to change that with Alipay Touch.
substack.com/@techbuzzchi...
The 90-day tariff war truce is a good moment to take stock of where we are. In this new Temu Watch update, we examine the phases of the tariff war, both before and after May 12th, the impact of various policies, and how Temu has adjusted its strategies.
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/temu-watch...
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/temu-watch...
June 1, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The 90-day tariff war truce is a good moment to take stock of where we are. In this new Temu Watch update, we examine the phases of the tariff war, both before and after May 12th, the impact of various policies, and how Temu has adjusted its strategies.
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/temu-watch...
techbuzzchina.substack.com/p/temu-watch...
ONPOPULAIRE OPINIE?
Ik werd gisteren door Wilke Wittebrood van Change Inc. / MT Sprout geïnterviewd over de brandbrief van de mode- en textielbedrijven m.b.t. Chinese platforms als Shein en Temu ...
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
Ik werd gisteren door Wilke Wittebrood van Change Inc. / MT Sprout geïnterviewd over de brandbrief van de mode- en textielbedrijven m.b.t. Chinese platforms als Shein en Temu ...
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
May 28, 2025 at 10:43 AM
ONPOPULAIRE OPINIE?
Ik werd gisteren door Wilke Wittebrood van Change Inc. / MT Sprout geïnterviewd over de brandbrief van de mode- en textielbedrijven m.b.t. Chinese platforms als Shein en Temu ...
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...
Ik werd gisteren door Wilke Wittebrood van Change Inc. / MT Sprout geïnterviewd over de brandbrief van de mode- en textielbedrijven m.b.t. Chinese platforms als Shein en Temu ...
www.linkedin.com/posts/edsand...