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About
I started as an English teacher in the university and have come across interdisciplinary areas, editing and translating architecture monograph, serving the patrons in vegetarian bistro, while working in marketing agencies serving local and international brands on insights, design and strategy. Currently, a trend and culture spotter for luxury and premium brands.
My past years of “mass” mutation have empowered me to see the clarity in the complexity with a savvy sense of culture and trends and identify the patterns through connecting the dots to help brands defy the odds in this ever-changing business world.


Should We Avoid Aesop’s Mistake in China?
When Aesop closed its first flagship store in China, which opened in November 2022 on Dongping Road in Shanghai’s former French...
gracemu1020
3 days ago2 min read
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City Observer – The French Concession
In the enchanted months of April and May, when the chill air meets warm sunshine, we’re all drawn outdoors. Shanghai’s French Concession...
gracemu1020
May 62 min read
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City Observer – Hangzhou’s OōEli Art Park
In April, Adrien Brody, after winning another Oscar for his performance in Brutalist, visited Hangzhou, once again highlighting the...
gracemu1020
May 22 min read
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Documents Revisited
Today, I revisited Documents at Kerry Center Mall, intrigued by its rising popularity among Gen Z consumers in China. How has such a...
gracemu1020
May 22 min read
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City Observer – "Documents"
I accidentally came across Documents, a niche Chinese fragrance brand that has recently amassed a huge fan base. It is a boutique store...
gracemu1020
Apr 222 min read
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How can global brands revive the Chinese beer boom?
I was born and raised in Chongqing. Chongqingese has been very proud of two local brands. One is Tianfu Coke 天府可乐 and the other is...
gracemu1020
Feb 272 min read
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How To Transport The Brand Collaboration Story To Adapt To Local Festival Culture
Shiseido Professional is proud of its Japanese origin and over 100 years of heritage. In 2024, Shiseido collaborated with Hikaru Seino, a...
gracemu1020
Feb 61 min read
7 views
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Why are we obsessed with Shanghai and Shanghai culture? How to cut through cultural lens to build a powerful brand
Blossoms Shanghai There is no doubt that the most popular TV series is Blossoms Shanghai繁花 at the beginning of 2024, which is the TV...
gracemu1020
Feb 2, 20245 min read
18 views
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Is Dupe Economy Detrimental To Premium And Luxury Brands? How To Leverage It To Build Strong Brands?
As a trend spotter for premium and luxury brands, a nascent trend – the dupe economy caught my eyeballs in recent years, which has come...
gracemu1020
Sep 12, 20234 min read
18 views
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5 Neo-Chinese Teahouses in Shanghai
Grace (Yu) Mou TimeOutSH 2023-08-28 17:00 Posted on 上海 Photograph: by Yuangu Yunjing on Dinpin Coffee or tea, it is a question. As...
gracemu1020
Aug 28, 20235 min read
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Leave The Big Four: What Are The 4 Biggest Tier-One Cities Losing Population Telling Us?
When I left my hometown Chongqing for Shanghai 20 years ago, I assumed that I would be back a couple of months later after I lost my...
gracemu1020
Aug 28, 20233 min read
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Plan your next trip: Travel like a local in Chongqing
Grace (Yu) MouTimeOutShanghai 2023-07-03 17:00 Posted on 上海 Photograph: Iewek Gnos via Unsplash Chongqing is the place where I was born...
gracemu1020
Jul 4, 20234 min read
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Chinese Gaokao Culture
China’s Gaokao ( the national college entrance examination) happens on June 7th, 8th and 9th every year. It is perceived the toughest...
gracemu1020
Jun 5, 20231 min read
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Aging Is Cool? How Brands Embrace Silver Economy In China
According to WHO’s data, China has one of the fastest growing ageing populations in the world. The population of people over 60 years old...
gracemu1020
May 7, 20233 min read
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Why Does Quiet Luxury Echo Chinese Luxury Consumption Strongly?
Finally, the “Quiet luxury” or stealth luxury dubbed “old money core 老钱风” in Chinese is playing huge globally, following the popularity...
gracemu1020
Apr 24, 20232 min read
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How To Be Culture And Trend Savvy When It Comes To Building Brand Relevance In China
As we know China is a huge “rooster” on the map, we easily forget that China is segmented physically and emotionally when it comes to...
gracemu1020
Mar 23, 20233 min read
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How To Build Emotional Brand With AI
Weeks ago, I listened to a podcast - “Hard Fork” from The New York Times with the title of “The Bing Who loved me”. The journalist spent...
gracemu1020
Mar 10, 20233 min read
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How To Find The True Brand Purpose To Save Our Children
First drafted on Jan. 7th, 2023, in Shanghai This article is based on my working experience when I was working in Kantar – Firefly...
gracemu1020
Feb 23, 20235 min read
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Why Is The World-Winning Global Strategy Doomed In Some Other Markets?
2022 Dec. An international artist’s cosmetic brand which is famous for playing bold and always trying to push the boundary in its...
gracemu1020
Feb 18, 20232 min read
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