As China’s consumer market moves beyond 50 trillion yuan in annual retail sales, the real story is not scale — it is structural change. Slower growth, AI-driven purchasing, instant retail infrastructure, stricter competition enforcement, and evolving consumer values are reshaping how brands operate. For foreign companies entering China, distribution is no longer just about finding a sales partner. It is about determining who controls the brand’s data, pricing architecture, platform visibility, and long-term positioning in an increasingly intelligent and regulated market.