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 buying behavior, we also discuss what “fashion consciousness” looks like among today’s consumers: Do we still care about brands? Do TikTok trends actually influence purchases? And has fast fashion lost its appeal?Tune in to hear how four women across Asia are navigating the balance between aesthetics, values—and a crowded closet.

Chapters:

00:00:43 – How young women across Asia shop for clothes (online vs offline)

00:02:15 – Where style inspiration really comes from: Pinterest, TikTok, Rednote

00:05:01 – Are we minimalist or maximalist? Capsule wardrobes vs impulse buys

00:10:56 – Is fashion still about brands—or just what makes us feel good?

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 dive into what’s driving this strategic push and whether it’s built to last.

But beyond business strategy, we also unpack the deeper context: the increasingly close relationship between China and Brazil’s governments, Lula’s seemingly increasing popularity, and what this might mean for both countries.

Chapters:

00:00:43 – Why are Chinese companies flooding into Brazil now?

00:02:05 – Chinese F&B giants are going into Latin America

00:04:05 – Lula’s good relationships with China

00:07:31 – What is in it for both countries?

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 GrabX’s new features and if we need them!This episode is a new format where we share a little bit more about the everyday consumer across various regins. Let us know in the comments if this format is something you would like to see more of, or if there are any other topics you would like us to cover!

Chapters:

00:00:00 – Grab is how much in Singapore??

00:01:45 – How we use ride-hailing differently across SEA

00:04:20 – Gojek, Foodpanda & the real super app habits

00:07:10 – GrabX launch: will we ever use these features?

00:10:30 – What Grab means to us (and what we wish it did better)

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 landscape, and what this means for Delivery Hero’s future in Southeast Asia.
Chapters: 00:00:00 – Foodpanda quits Thailand: why now?00:01:20 – From first mover to 5%: the slow decline00:04:20 – Why Delivery Hero exits tough markets00:06:00 – Grab & Shopee: platform advantage wins00:08:00 – Global expansion vs. local complexity00:12:00 – Can Foodpanda survive elsewhere?

Featured materials:

AsiaFood Delivery Platforms In Southeast Asia 5.0, Momentum Works

https://momentum.asia/product/food-delivery-platforms-in-southeast-asia-5-0/

Food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia 2021, Momentum Works

https://momentum.asia/product/food-delivery-platforms-in-southeast-asia-2021/

E114: China’s Didi and Meituan clash in Brazil’s food delivery market, The Impulso Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu_kGfTsqQo&t=60s

My thoughts on Foodpanda’s exit from Thailand, TheLowDown

https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/my-thoughts-on-foodpandas-exit-from-thailand/

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 are key parts of the story.

Chapters:

00:00:00: Xiaomi SU7 crash

00:02:50: SU7, a Porsche-inspired car?

00:05:00: Why did Xiaomi enter the EV market?

00:08:00: Can Xiaomi compete with BYD

00:11:00: The risks of EVs and autonomous driving

Featured materials:

A Chinese EV manufacturer’s deep trouble, livestreamed

https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/a-chinese-ev-manufacturers-deep-trouble-livestreamed/

Live-selling cars in malls? China’s EV retail strategy | Impulso E111

https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/live-selling-cars-in-malls-chinas-ev-retail-strategy-impulso-e111/

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 to expand further into the US in these turbulent times, can Chagee become the next global beverage giant?

Chapters:

00:00:50 – Chagee’s US$6 billion debut in Nasdaq

00:02:30 – How the name “Cha” came about

00:04:00 – The founder’s unconventional journey

00:07:40 – Chagee’s same store sales are declining

00:11:00 – Chagee’s hiccup in Vietnam

00:12:00 – Could Chagee be the next Starbucks?

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 Brazil under Keeta. What will this mean for the food delivery lStay tuned as we see how Chinese platforms are reshaping global food delivery dynamics. Chapters:00:00:50: Didi is entering Brazil… again00:05:40: An introduction to Didi’s international business 00:07:35: Why did Didi fail in Brazil in 2019? 00:10:16: Can Didi beat iFood’s 80% market share? 00:16:10: Keeta vs Didi in Brazil Food delivery market Featured materials: TLD China’s Didi enters Brazil’s food delivery market

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 to the high costs of operations in Singapore, we explore the trends and challenges shaping the future of how we order and eat food.What does this mean for the industry—and for consumers? Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on the evolving world of food delivery.Chapters:00:04:00: Grab leads Southeast Asia’s food delivery again00:05:00: Is Shopee Food a threat to Grab?00:10:00: Indonesia’s intense food delivery battle00:14:00: TikTok’s secret expansion into local services?00:23:00: Drones are now delivering your food? Featured Materials:Food Delivery Platforms in Southeast Asia 5.0, Momentum Works Vietnam Ecommerce and Retail Immersion, Momentum WorksE108: From Dianping to RedNote: Shanghai’s role in breeding successful consumer apps, The Impulso Podcast

E95: How Meituan overtook FoodPanda in Hong Kong, and what’s next?