Shanghai ranks first among Chinese cities in the creation of local online consumer brands, according to the China Online Consumer Brand Index released by the National School of Development at Peking University.

The research team based its comprehensive evaluation of brand quality on data from Taobao and Tmall, analyzing metrics such as sales volume, pricing, search frequency, user reviews, and other key indicators.

The resulting list of the top 500 global brands in China's online business sector marks the world's first brand ranking based on actual consumer purchasing behavior.

Apple, Huawei, and Xiaomi secured the top three positions.

The report also analyzed the top 1,000 brands by looking at factors such as founding year, geographic origin, and innovation attributes.

Shanghai tops the list with 92 brands founded in the city, closely followed by Hangzhou of Zhejiang province with 89, both far surpassing other cities.

Among Shanghai's many globally oriented brands, those in the beauty and personal care sectors stand out.

The rapid rise of e-commerce platforms, such as Taobao and Tmall, has accelerated the branding process.

Tmall's digital tools — including consumer demand analysis, new product incubation programs, and membership systems — have provided a scientific foundation for brand innovation.

According to analysts, key factors driving local brand vitality include industrial structure, policy environment, and overall business climate.

The uniquely high penetration rate of e-commerce in China has had a profound impact on brand development, serving as the primary engine behind the creation of consumer brands over the past two decades.

As China's economy enters a new stage of development, mature industrial clusters are spawning a wave of consumer brands, with e-commerce continuing to play a pivotal role in this transformation.

Source: Shanghai Observer