Retail & Consumer

China's large population, rapid economic growth, and emerging middle class make it an important market for virtually every consumer goods and retail company in the world. Top companies from around the globe have invested heavily in reaching Chinese consumers.

In addition, local Chinese enterprises are also growing rapidly; they are effectively serving their home populations while, at the same time, pursuing additional opportunities abroad. Many local and multinational companies have successfully made China a critical component of their global strategies—and a significant source of profits.

Even though China offers a wealth of opportunities, it presents daunting challenges as well—complex regulatory and trade environments, an overwhelming array of highly aggressive competitors, and sales and distribution networks that remain largely underdeveloped. PowerHelm has been helping companies overcome these obstacles since its inception.

Today our Consumer practice is one of the strongest and most successful practice areas in the firm. All of the partners, project managers, and consultants who comprise our local team have extensive consumer goods and retail experience, as well as in-depth local knowledge.

We have helped a wide range of local and multinational clients succeed in China, both as they evaluate and enter this complex marketplace, and as they defend and deepen leading positions. We support our case work with extensive cutting-edge research on the behaviors and attitudes of Chinese consumers.

PowerHelm's consumer team has worked on a broad array of topics over the years. Some of our areas of focus include:

Capturing and analyzing deep consumer insights

Optimizing sales and distribution systems

Developing government-relations strategies

Refining and improving business-model economics

Monitoring the complex array of distribution channels

Analyzing and understanding competitive landscapes

Anticipating and planning for change

Creating effective sourcing, manufacturing, and supply-chain strategies

Assessing acquisition targets

Managing postmerger integrations and joint venture relationships