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Digital Frontiers: China, Chengdu

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Background

China’s Chengdu is emerging as a critical hub for industrial transformation and digital innovation, driven by advancements in smart manufacturing, new retail, and metaverse applications. As Singaporean retailers and businesses look to scale regionally, Chengdu presents valuable lessons in integrating technology, building resilient supply chains, and designing future-ready business models. From the rapid rise of digital-first enterprises like ByteDance and Freshippo to the global ambitions of consumer brands such as Chi Forest, Chengdu demonstrates how industries can leverage AI, automation, and omnichannel strategies to achieve sustainable growth.

This immersion programme equips Singapore retail and business leaders with practical insights into China’s innovation-driven economy, enabling them to reimagine retail formats, enhance customer engagement, and drive cross-border expansion.

Outcomes

Participants will develop a strategic innovation roadmap tailored to Singapore’s retail transformation. This will include:

  • Two redesigned retail roles that integrate digital and customer engagement skills.

  • Reskilling and upskilling plans to prepare staff for AI-driven operations and digital marketing.

  • Technology adoption strategies, focusing on smart logistics, omnichannel integration, and retail analytics.

  • Transformation timelines anchored in lessons from China’s digital retail leaders.

The roadmap will provide actionable insights into how Singapore businesses can stay competitive in a fast-evolving regional retail landscape.

Trip Highlights

High-Level Learning & Engagements

  • Lectures by leading experts from Peking and Tsinghua Universities on brand strategy, digital marketing, and AI transformation.

  • Direct knowledge-sharing on China’s retail innovation policies and industry ecosystem.

Cross-Industry Site Visits

  • Freshippo (Alibaba Group) – Experience how data-driven customer engagement and supply chain integration redefine new retail.

  • ByteDance / Douyin Group – Learn omnichannel digital marketing strategies and AI-powered consumer engagement.

  • JD Group – Explore smart logistics hubs with 90%+ automation in e-commerce operations.

  • BOE Technology – Gain insights into Industry 4.0 smart factories with AI-driven quality control.

  • Chi Forest – Understand brand innovation, zero-sugar product positioning, and multi-channel expansion into Southeast Asia.

  • New Hope Liuhe – Study modern agriculture and integrated food industry ecosystems.

Market & Cultural Immersion

  • Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li – See firsthand how Chengdu blends heritage with modern retail creativity.

  • Jinli Street – Discover cultural roots influencing consumer behaviour.

Networking & Strategic Exchange

  • Chengdu–Singapore Entrepreneurial Synergy Forum – Build partnerships, explore business collaborations, and identify joint ventures in retail and digital sectors.

Programme Details

Dates
Sun, 9 Nov 2025 to Sat, 15 Nov 2025

  • Programme starts on Sun, 9 Nov 2025, 9am with Opening Remarks in Chengdu.

  • Programme ends on Sat, 15 Nov 2025, with departures from Chengdu.