Insights from Alibaba’s Gateway ’17 Summit: Consumer and Industry Trends in China—Fashion and Apparel Panel

Executive Summary

• Roth Lai, Deputy Editorial Director, ELLE China
• Jessica Liu, General Manager, Tmall Apparel
• Leslie Tse, General Manager, International Business Development, Baozun
• Deborah Weinswig, Managing Director, Fung Global Retail & Technology

Below are the top ten takeaways from the Fashion and Apparel presentation by Amee Chande, Managing Director of Global Strategy and Operations at Alibaba Group:

• There is a significant demand for the fashion category in China
• Everyone wants it: demand is strong from first tier cities as well as lower tier cities
• Apparel is the first thing Chinese consumer trade up when their income rises
• Chinese millennials are the leading consumer group for the fashion category in China
• Chinese consumers are spoiled for fashion choices
• Chinese consumers are still deal-savvy
• Women shoppers are important in China
• Indie fashion brands have a unique opportunity in China
• China’s fashion market is a dynamic marketplace driven by celebrity endorsement
• The American lifestyle is inspirational for Chinese fashion consumers