The Impulso Podcast

Chinese customs have been busy catching fake Labubus - one airport even found to up 34,000++ fake labubus. Why are the chinese customs so zealous about fake Labubus? What is driving the rise in fake Labubus and what does this mean for Popmart? In this episode, Sabrina and Jianggan unpack what’s driving the wave of fake Labubus, how resale speculation is heating up, whether Pop Mart is quietly engineering a soft landing for its hott...

Southeast Asia’s ecommerce GMV hit $128.4 billion in 2024 — but growth has slowed to 12%, down from 15% the year before. Why did it slow down? Should industry players still be optimistic? 

In this episode, Sabrina and Weihan, the author of our 3rd Ecommerce in Southeast Asia report break down the key findings.

Tune in as we explore:

• Why Thailand and Malaysia are now the region’s fastest-growing ecommerce markets;

• Thoughts on th...

AI can unlock up to US$131 billion annual ecommerce GMV in Southeast Asia by 2030. With the increasing popularity of ecommerce,  we launched a report studying how AI is already transforming the way we shop, and how it will continue to do so in the future. 

In this episode, we talk about the average Southeast consumer’s journey with AI, how we use it, and why it can unlock US$131 billion in GMV by 2030. 
Are consumers okay with AI lis...

Labubu is everywhere - from TikTok edits to custom BBLs, to collectors spending hundreds to make theirs one of a kind. In our previous Labubu episode, we spoke about the business behind Popmart and why it is so popular. In this episode, we go further into the consumer’s psyche, over a toy that has no practical purpose. 

Tengian, Elody, and Phyllis discuss: 

• How customization, scarcity, and storytelling drive fan culture

• The emotio...

Luckin Coffee is finally entering the U.S. — starting with New York City. Will Luckin be able to challenge Starbucks in its own backyard?

Many mistake Luckin’s product as simply coffee. It is not - Luckin is more like an ecommerce company. 

Tune in as we explore: 

• Luckin’s platform-like model, and how it turns its coffee stores into mini fulfillment centers;

• Why Luckin launched in New York, unlike Chagee in Los Angeles;

• How...

In this episode, we dive into the world of quick commerce - also known as “insta shopping” or “near field commerce” by our insights team. In markets like China and India, companies are starting to set their delivery goals within 15 to 30 minutes. We break down what really happens behind the scenes after an order is placed on your smartphones: the logistics, the tech, and the very different operation models behind 15 minute vs 30 mi...

In this episode, we dive into Didi’s launch of its food delivery service in Goiânia through its local brand 99Food — and why it did so before Meituan’s Keeta.

Tune in as we unpack:

• Didi’s decision to launch in Goiânia, a mid-sized city, over São Paulo;

• How past experience in Brazil shaped Didi’s approach;

• Will we see a repeat of the 2017–2018 Meituan vs. Didi battle;

• Whether Didi’s existing fleet and org structure give it an edge

In this episode, we get candid with our colleagues on how and where they actually shop for clothes—and what that says about the future of fashion.From Pinterest and RedNote, to flea markets and Brandy Melville, we explore how social media and offline experiences are shaping buying decisions. We also dive into emerging trends like capsule wardrobes, color analysis, and whether fashion magazines still hold cultural weight.Beyond just...

Luckin is buying coffee beans, Meituan is sending teams to map the streets—and BYD is rolling out electric buses across São Paulo. 

Amidst uncertain times, one thing seems to be sure - Chinese tech giants have their eye on Brazil. In this episode, we talk about why everyone in China’s consumer scene suddenly seems to have their eyes on Brazil. From TikTok Shop to Meituan, and from local competition to cultural adaptation, we div...

Why does the same Grab ride cost $2 in Manila but $18 in Singapore? 🇸🇬🇵🇭🇮🇩And why do some people still take it every day in Singapore?

In this episode , we dive into what it’s really like using Grab across Southeast Asia. We’re joined by Denise from the Philippines and Arana from Indonesia as we swap stories about how people get around, order food, and deal with ride-hailing chaos in our respective cities.

We also discuss ...

After 13 years in Thailand, Foodpanda is making a sudden exit. Once the pioneer of food delivery, it’s now being overtaken by newer players—like ShopeeFood, which only showed up four years ago. Amongst operational decisions, PR controversies, and market dynamics, what exactly was it that led to its decline? 

In this episode, we unpack Foodpanda’s quiet (and rather sad) exit, the competitive nature of Thailand’s food delivery lan...

In this episode, we dive into Xiaomi’s bold leap from consumer electronics into the electric vehicle space. What sparked the buzz around the SU7 launch? How did Xiaomi manage to sell over 200,000 cars in a market dominated by giants like BYD and Tesla? And will a recent accident impact future sales?

Tune in as we unpack what makes Xiaomi stand out in China’s crowded EV market—and why its founder’s loyal fan base and focus on design ...

Founded by a young man with (allegedly) no formal education, Chagee has quickly become one of the top tea brands in the world. Its recent successful IPO debuted at a market cap of nearly US$6 billion. How did they get here? In this episode, we dive into the success story behind Chagee’s rapid rise - from humble beginnings to becoming one of Starbuck’s biggest rivals anda hiccup in Vietnam. With over 6,000 global stores and a plan t...

Is the food delivery landscape of Brazil going to completely change? Bouncing back from a failed launch in 2019, Didi is back in Brazil as 99 Food. In this episode, we explore Didi’s reentry into Brazils food delivery market. What went wrong the first time? Why is Didi confident enough now for a comeback? Can they take a bite out of iFood’s massive 80% market share? At the same time, we also received news that Meituan is entering B...

In this episode, we take a closer look at the fast-paced and competitive food delivery industry in Southeast Asia. ShopeeFood is gaining traction in Vietnam—but does this pose a real challenge to market leader Grab? Is TikTok considering a move into local services? And could drones become the new norm for food delivery?We’re joined by Weihan, our insights lead, to unpack these questions and more. From drone delivery trials in Dubai...

AI is taking over the world by storm, and AI generated humans are becoming more popular. What does this mean for the ecosystem? 

In this episode of Impulso Podcast, we sit down with Jensen, co-founder and CEO of Topview.ai, an AI-powered video creation platform.

 With over 13 years of experience at Taobao, Jensen has been at the forefront of AI applications, especially in e-commerce and digital media. As AI-generated video becomes mo...

BYD is now outselling automotive giants like Toyota and Volkswagen in China. But beyond the numbers, a bigger shift is happening—Chinese EV brands are moving away from traditional dealerships and into shopping malls.

In this episode, we explore China’s electric vehicle revolution, breaking down the numbers behind its EV boom and uncovering why mall showrooms are replacing dealerships, and the economics driving this shift.

Fro...

在本期节目中，我们与中国的电商资深专家凯飞一起探讨拼多多的成功故事。凯飞深入剖析了该公司独特的电商模式，并作为行业专家提供了独到见解。 从拼多多在中国低线城市的起源，到其通过Temu实现的全球野心，我们讨论了拼多多如何通过聚焦价格优势和效率重塑了消费者行为。我们还分析了该公司对成本效益的专注、与阿里巴巴和京东的激烈竞争，以及在维持低价的同时平衡供应商关系的挑战。 不仅如此，凯飞还分享了对电商未来的看法、创新的作用，以及在竞争激烈的全球市场中保持增长的挑战。 章节： 00:01:30：拼多多的崛起 00:05:20：Temu的颠覆性战略 00:19:15：为什么对价格的执着是Temu的秘密武器 00:30:25：增长与盈利之战 00:42:45：Temu的全球扩张冒险 精选材料: Who is Temu, 2024, Momentum Works: https://momentum.asia/product/temu-2-years-on/ Be...

What makes Pinduoduo one of the most disruptive forces in e-commerce? In this episode, we explore the success story of Pinduoduo with Kaifei, a seasoned expert in China’s e-commerce. Kaifei provides a deep dive into the company’s unique approach to e-commerce and offers insights as an industry expert. From its origin in China's lower-tier cities to its global ambitions with Temu, we discuss how Pinduoduo’s focus on affordab...