Consumer
Lululemon, Hermes Copies Entice China’s Shoppers Away From Labels
- Consumers turning to high-quality alternatives, or pingti
- Latest headwind facing foreign retail giants in the country
This article is for subscribers only.
Near-facsimiles of some of the world’s most popular fashion staples, from Lululemon Athletica Inc.’s yoga tights to Hermès International SCA’s handbags, are appearing in closets across China for a fraction of the price.
Known in Chinese as “pingti” and Gen Z shopping parlance as “dupes,” their popularity reflects a backlash against brands among formerly label-loving Chinese shoppers. But they’re not cheap counterfeits either: these local makers sell products at relatively high prices by promising the same quality as top global brands — just without the logos.