China's economic evolution and the rise of e-commerce

The landscape of Chinese commerce and its impact on international markets is undergoing significant shifts. In China, rapid modernization has transformed daily life, with mobile technology replacing cash, robots serving guests, and high-speed rail connecting vast distances. There is also a noted increase in English proficiency among the youth and a more open attitude toward foreign visitors.

In the retail sector, particularly in Croatia, the era of traditional Chinese-run physical stores—which dominated local markets in the early 2000s by offering low-cost goods—is fading. These brick-and-mortar shops have largely been displaced by modern discount retailers like Pepco and Kik, as well as a massive shift toward global e-commerce platforms such as Temu, AliExpress, and Shein.