Beyond Copying: How Chinese Brands Are Redefining Global Business Strategies
How many of us are well aware of “Made in China” always known for it cheap & lower quality of the actual brand? While the knockoffs are certainly no where near the level of the original even it’s definitely way cheaper. Sacrificing the quality, this “copycats” products usually can’t even make names even on domestic market level. However that stereotypes of “Made in China” might have changed when giants like DJI, Huawei, Alibaba and MSI all emerges and surpassed expectations. The game have changed nowadays while most of this brands are becoming world leading brands from being starting off known as cheap imitation.
The “Daiso Effect”: Affordable Quality for Everyone
Daiso, already a well-known global brand for it affordable quality. A Japanese retail giant with their business model with various selection of of budget-friendly household items. This draw the inspiration for the Chinese brand known as Miniso (even the name similar too!). While initially, Miniso seems so similar but slowly it able to set apart with it’s own identity and different audiences. Given the idea of Daiso which more towards practically of it’s products while Miniso is more trendy and modern.
When walk into Miniso, you’ll immediately noticed the different from Daiso. As you might find some items are collaborations with popular brands (Disney’s Marvel, Sanrio’s Hello Kitty). Other than as mentioned more modern approach, it still draw to business model as Daiso, everything there are affordable while also varieties too. It appeal to younger and more trendy shoppers.
Xiaomi: From “Apple of China” to Overtaking Apple
Often known as one of China brand that copy Apple IOS, Xiaomi transformed into a global brand with smartphones, smart home gadgets, electronic products and even car! The success story of Xiaomi traced back to it roots of blending the best features of IOS’s UX with a lot cheaper price tags. Affordability meets quality, this what’s making Xiaomi as a leading smartphone brand among the other giants. Adapting to todays market, Xiaomi embracing a whole new marketing approach. By connecting with loyal fan base, accepting feedbacks and active on events or social media. Collaboration with well-known names (Genshin Impacts, Disneys) by creating a limited-editions, making it a sought after by collectors. This making Xiaomi not just focus on putting focus on budget smartphones but growing into a even wider market.
The Tech Giant: DJI and the Evolution of Consumer Drones
When GoPro exploded in popularity for action cameras, it become a beloved cultural icon for athletes or vloggers by capturing epic moments on camera. Supporting high speed movement while surviving in extreme conditions. Meanwhile for DJI, it didn’t simply copy from GoPro. It reinvented the drones by creating them more accessible and easy to use. Nowadays, DJI dominates the consumer drone market where most being used in almost everything. From event videography to rescue missions due to it high definition cameras and stabilization technology. So as it seems DJI didn’t just copy GoPro’s for action cameras at all, creating a whole new market for consumer drones which have never been done before.
Luckin Coffee: Shaking Up the Coffee Scene with Fresh Ideas!
Luckin Coffee, a well-known Chinese challenger to the supreme Starbucks. Popping up everywhere like mushrooms, it drawing inspiration from Starbucks, offering premium coffee drinks too but in a more different approach. While Starbucks focused more on high-traffic areas, Luckin focused on convenience by offering delivery and takeout options. Utilizing most of it on mobile apps, it suits so well on China’s massive mobile-first consumer base, a business model for on-the-go lifestyles. Combo together with pricing strategy (cheaper than overpriced Starbucks), it’s continuously refining their coffees and marketing strategies.
Local Innovation, Global Inspiration
Deep understanding of local culture and trends while drawing inspiration from global markets are what drawing them apart from usual cheap imitations. Through smarter pricing, uses of technology (mobile 1st), and deep understanding of what local needs and convenience, this Chinese brands are not only competing, they are leading the international markets. The success of brands above shows that innovation doesn’t have to start from scratch, often times just by taking what really works and keep it your own. The future of global business keep shaped by these companies with their own innovations.