E663: Going to the Canton Fair? Listen to this.

The Canton Fair remains a central hub for global e-commerce, though post-COVID attendance patterns show a shift toward European and Australian visitors as American participation declines. While some manufacturers explore relocating production to Vietnam to mitigate tariff risks, China’s unmatched labor productivity and integrated supply chains often make these alternatives less efficient. Operating an e-commerce business in China involves navigating complex regulatory hurdles like VAT and EPR, alongside rising compliance requirements from platforms like Amazon. Despite property market fluctuations in cities like Shenzhen, the region continues to serve as a critical base for sellers, supported by advanced infrastructure and a robust, albeit competitive, business ecosystem. Live-streaming has become an integral part of the Chinese retail landscape, though its direct application to Western markets remains limited by product category suitability and cultural differences in consumer engagement.