China’s Songmont, Pane accessory brands shine with thrifty shoppers

Chinese brand name products like Songmont bags and Pane shoes are acquiring a following amongst consumers searching for quality products at affordable costs, together with foreign tourists searching for regional keepsakes.

A Songmont shop in Shanghai’s Huaihai Road shopping location has young buyers and foreign visitors marking time to go into even on weekdays. The brand name, developed in Beijing in 2013 by a group consisting of a previous Google staff member, concentrates on leather bags and has a credibility for quality and style.

Songmont takes motivation from Eastern looks, consisting of ancient Chinese architecture and culture. Its signature crescent-shaped Luna bag, priced at RMB 1,880 (USD 280), can be used 4 various methods by changing the straps.

“I like the brand name’s fantastic storytelling,” stated a lady going to the shop, including she had actually purchased a present there for a good friend overseas.

Songmont has actually likewise broadened abroad, starting a business in Thailand.

Shoemaker Pane has actually proliferated because its 2022 launch in Shanghai. The brand name uses shoes with a retro design and a comfy fit, with costs beginning in the RMB 800 (USD 119) variety per set. In addition to its shops, the shoes are offered in chains like Japan’s United Arrows.

Pane’s gross product volume on significant Chinese e-commerce platforms for the January-June half almost tripled on the year, according to Japanese analysis company Nint. Its appeal has actually been improved by a boom in thin-soled tennis shoes from brand names like Adidas and Onitsuka Tiger.

Pane’s shop on Huaihai Road was loaded with foreign travelers. One guy searching the display screens stated he liked the shoes for their minimalism, that makes it so the brand name is not apparent at a look.

In cosmetics, Hangzhou-based AromeManpo provides skin care and body care items together with scents, consisting of a flagship line of product made with tuberose essence.

The brand name at first concentrated on e-commerce however started opening shops in China in 2015. Its stores in Hangzhou and Shanghai have actually connected coffee shops where consumers can attempt its initial beverages.

These emerging brand names are being buoyed by a shift in customer worths. While Chinese buyers when preferred foreign high-end brand names, the downturn in customer costs has actually featured more logical habits, with purchasers thoroughly weighing rate in addition to quality.

Their existence might grow in other markets. Some brand names have actually revealed interest in broadening overseas, and are raising cash from equity capital companies and other financiers.

This post initially appeared on Nikkei AsiaIt has actually been republished here as part of 36Kr’s continuous collaboration with Nikkei

Keep in mind: RMB figures are transformed to USD at rates of RMB 6.70=USD 1 based upon price quotes since October 16, 2026, unless otherwise specified. USD conversions exist for ease of referral and might not totally match dominating currency exchange rate.