The Appliances & Electronics World Expo (AWE) is among the top three global exhibitions for home appliances and consumer electronics. The event is held every year in March in Shanghai with this year’s theme being “Smartize the Future”. More than 1,000 brands were showcased at the expo, offering attendees the chance to experience the latest in technological innovation.
Travel finance is an important component, impacting overall customer satisfaction across travel verticals. Analysis in this article focuses on embedded finance in travel intermediaries, lodging, shopping, and food and dining, ranked the top four verticals by market value size in 2023.
Despite slowing growth, EVs are still expected to become more widespread as governments promote sustainable mobility, but this requires financial development throughout the customer journey.
Since its launch in Southeast Asia in 2018, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) has experienced a notable surge in popularity, providing consumers with a convenient and accessible alternative to traditional financial services. This service enables consumers to defer payment for their purchases, typically opting for instalment-based repayment options instead of immediate full payment.
Rising geopolitical tensions and economic multipolarity are adding to trade restrictions, shifting the flows of global trade and investment, and hindering economic growth. Against the backdrop of this new global reality, over the long term, companies and countries will continue to follow a globalisation reset strategy, with economic diversification and supply chain security being the key priorities.
Embracing women’s wellness through dedicated solutions that cater to unique needs requires a holistic outlook factoring in an integrated physical, nutritional, emotional, and lifestyle spectrum. In Asia Pacific, emerging trends in women's health are also increasingly tailored to the region's unique consumer behaviours and demographic dynamics.
In April 2024, ByteDance was reported to acquire Union Mobile Pay (UMP) for CNY1.4 billion (USD200 million), pending regulatory approval. ByteDance operates popular social media and commerce platforms (TikTok and Douyin). This article analyses its strategic objectives of financial expansion, and the key threats and opportunities in relation to financial industries. UMP is considered to be a key chess piece of the game.
Renowned coffee chains from China and Kenangan Coffee in Indonesia have entered Singapore as a stepping stone for their international expansion. The strategy to enter Singapore is attributed to its status as a financial hub, as well as its visibility for international investors leading to future expansion. At the same time, local consumers are sophisticated, open to trying new flavours, and are willing to spend for their daily caffeine fix.
In the first article about inbound travel payment experience, insights in Japan and Taiwan China as well as key partnership developments were discussed. In this second article, the analysis focuses on mainland China and Hongkong SAR (special administration region) China, as well as the key opportunities for travel payment development.