[HANGZHOU, April 2026] — Handelsblatt, Germany’s leading financial newspaper, recently published an in-depth feature analyzing the complex landscape of the Chinese retail market. In the report, the CEO of WIDER (Hangzhou Waide)—the exclusive general agent for German drugstore giant dm-drogerie markt in China—shared key insights on how "China Speed" and localized decision-making are becoming the definitive factors for international brand survival. Core Insight: Shifting from "German Quality" to "China Speed" In the article titled "Stationary Drugstores Hardly Widespread in China So Far," the CEO of WIDER pointed out that while German products enjoy immense trust in quality (Made in Germany), traditional retail models are struggling to adapt to China's rapid market shifts. He emphasized that the success of brands managed by WIDER—such as dm, Kneipp, and Saphir—stems from a highly efficient localized decision-making framework. "The success of our cooperation is based on the high degree of trust and the locally anchored freedom of decision-making granted by dm," the WIDER CEO told Handelsblatt. "By taking the lead in product selection and pricing, we are able to act with 'China Speed'—the typical pace of innovation in China." Strategic Analysis: A Digital-First Pioneer Strategy Addressing the setbacks faced by other German retailers like Müller in physical expansion, the CEO of WIDER has championed a strictly digital-first strategy. Under his leadership, WIDER has successfully launched and managed dm’s official presence across China’s major e-commerce ecosystems, including Tmall, JD.com, Douyin (TikTok China), and Xiaohongshu. He noted that in a market where platforms like Pinduoduo (20.6%), Tmall (20.3%), and Douyin (14.5%) dominate the landscape as of Q4 2025, brands must possess "lightning-fast reaction times." WIDER’s omni-channel digital layout ensures that premium German brands can precisely reach Chinese consumers in an increasingly fragmented market.

About WIDER (Hangzhou Waide Import and Export Co., Ltd.) WIDER is a premier integrated service provider for international brands entering the Chinese market. As the exclusive general agent for dm, Saphir, Kneipp, ilon, and other renowned European brands, WIDER combines deep market insights with operational excellence to bridge the gap between premium European quality and China’s sophisticated digital consumer ecosystem.