The China Luxury Briefing is a weekly newsletter from The Luxury Conversation. You’ll receive a weekly bulletin of latest China luxury news across different sectors. Below you’ll find a monthly roundup including updates from each of the weekly briefings during the month. To ensure you’re receiving all of the latest China luxury updates, make sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter here.
MARKET UPDATES
China to handle more international passenger flights in summer, autumn
The number of inbound and outbound international passenger flights planned for this summer-autumn aviation season in China will increase markedly over last year, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said on March 24.
Healing tourism gains popularity in China
More people have strong desire to travel, and the market is seeing more opportunities for healing tourism, which means less tight schedules and more health-related projects, bringing joy to the spirit, a new survey shows. A growing number of consumers are paying more attention to health-related consumption, among which healing tourism has become a bright spot.
Luxury industry poised for growth
Bain & Co’s new report reveals that a positive market is expected to return before the end of the first quarter for China’s luxury sector. Compared to other emerging markets, China is a behemoth for luxury growth, said the report.
WEB 3
Tmall offers members exclusive digital collectibles in Spring campaign
Chinese e-commerce giant Tmall has launched its “My New Spring Flowers in Bloom” campaign in partnership with five renowned brands, including Huggies, Decorté, Vans, iQOO, and L’Oréal, to celebrate its annual membership day. The campaign offers members exclusive gifts and limited-edition digital collectibles featuring each brand’s new products, while social media promotions further engage customers.
Baidu launches its AI product ERNIE Bot(文心一言)
Baidu’s new AI product, ERNIE Bot, launched on March 16, and over 70,000 companies have applied to test the product. The product showcased impressive capabilities in various scenarios, including writing tasks, logical reasoning, multimodal generation, etc.
NYX selects virtual influencer ALiCE as sustainability ambassador
NYX, a leading beauty company, has chosen the virtual influencer, ALiCE, to be its ambassador for promoting sustainability. In an announcement campaign, the synthetic influencer was seen holding a lipstick from NYX’s upcoming Spring 2023 collection. Additionally, NYX has created a special hashtag, “Alice Becomes Best Friend of NYX Brand,” on Weibo to encourage audience engagement and sharing.
FASHION
Bottega Veneta to hold its 2023 Winter Fashion Show in Beijing
Bottega Veneta will hold its 2023 Winter Fashion Show once again in Beijing on July 20th. The collection will represent the final chapter of Creative Director Matthieu Blazy’s “Italy” trilogy, showcasing imaginative silhouettes and materials that embody the iconic leather craftsmanship and artistic techniques of Bottega Veneta.
The North Face Kids unveils its first Greater China concept store in Beijing
The North Face Kids unveiled its first Greater China concept store in Beijing. Inspired by stone piles full of children’s innocence, the store features the balance of human beings and nature, allowing kids to explore with imagination.
Michael Kors announces Hsu Chi as brand global ambassador
Michael Kors announced Hsu Chi (舒淇) as its brand global ambassador. Hsu Chi is a renowned actress in China with more than 40 million followers on Weibo.
BEAUTY
GIVENCHY Beauty announces Yuning Liu as its brand makeup spokesperson
On 16 March, GIVENCHY Beauty announced Yuning Liu (刘宇宁) as its brand makeup spokesperson. Yuning Liu is a popular Chinese singer and actor, with more than 17 million followers on Weibo.
HELENA RUBINSTEIN announces Jingjing Guo as gorgeous ambassador
On 1 March, HELENA RUBINSTEIN announces Jingjing Guo (郭晶晶) as its gorgeous ambassador. Jingjing Guo is a female Chinese diver and Olympic champion, with more than 450 thousand followers on Weibo.
TRAVEL
Amadeus releases the ‘Traveler Tribe 2033’ report
Amadeus released the ‘Traveler Tribe 2033’ report, which reveals what Chinese travelers are looking forward to: experiencing travel in virtual reality before deciding on a destination (40%); more vivid ways to document travel (40%); and more personalised itineraries (37%).
JEWELLERY AND WATCHES
BVLGARI announces Crystal Liu as its global brand spokesperson
BVLGARI announced Crystal Liu (刘亦菲) as its global brand spokesperson. Crystal Liu is a renowned Chinese actress, who has more than 71 million followers on Weibo.
HOSPITALITY
The first “twin” hotel of DIAOYUTAI and MGM to open in Qingdao
A DIAOYUTAI hotel and an MGM hotel is planned to start the business together in Qingdao in 2023 with the form of a “twin” hotel. As the first double-brand operation project of DAOYUTAI MGM HOSPITALITY, this “twin” expects to bring customers a luxury feeling of “double enjoyment” and the combination of eastern and western cultures.
InterContinental Hotels Group releases expansion plan in Greater China in 2023
InterContinental Hotels Group released an ambitious expansion plan in the Greater China, exploring hot and emerging travel destinations. The group said it has been ready to respond to the growing demand for tourism in China and to embrace Chinese and international tourists in the new year.
NEW OPENINGS AND LAUNCHES
Lululemon completed upgrading its store at Shanghai Kerry Center, making it the brand’s largest store in Asia Pacific
BVLGARI unveiled an art exhibition of “SERPENTI 75 YEARS OF INFINITY TALES” in Shanghai
Hennessy kicks off an X.O Kim Jones pop-up store at Shanghai Plaza 66
LOUIS VUITTON launches Tambour Opera collection themed with Sichuan “Changing Face” opera
LOUIS XIII unveils an experience space for “The Drop”
MARNI launches an art equipment space “sunset” in the Former Residence Garden in Suzhou
R13 enters Chinese market with aTmall flagship store
Maison Francis Kurkdjia opens its first department store in China at SKP Beijing
Vacheron Constantin’s “the Anatomy of Beauty” national tour has been a success in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Beijing, and is now held in Hangzhou
FURTHER READINGS
Beauty’s new opportunity: cross-industry collaborations, Vogue Business
Why the principles of premium and luxury marketing are changing, Jing Daily
Athleisure boom hits China’s young men, Jing Daily
Forget Retail’s New Normal. It’s Now Retail’s ‘New Complexities’, WWD
What do China’s one billion plus short video app users mean for luxury and e-commerce, Jing Daily
Beauty’s next investment boom: facials, waxing and injectables, Vogue Business
About Luxury Conversation:
The Luxury Conversation is a platform curated by Gusto Collective for luxury professionals to connect, share and discuss Asia’s luxury industry and its rapidly evolving affluent consumers.
We curate and highlight topical issues that are impacting the industry and weighing on the minds of our community. From consumer attitudes and trends, to the factors influencing and shaping the market, The Luxury Conversation unpacks the questions of the moment – from China’s luxury consumers and Asia’s economic growth, to the rise of NFTs and the new technologies disrupting the marketplace.
The Luxury Conversation features articles on trends and interviews with industry leaders, publishes newsletters and reports from Gusto Collective’s consulting division, presents industry reports at luxury summits and conferences, and hosts its flagship China briefings and networking events. For more information, please visit www.luxuryconversation.com
