Core Insights - The 27th Asia Pet Expo opened on August 20, featuring a global forum on pet industry export strategies [2] - The Southeast Asian e-commerce market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in the pet sector, which has a compound annual growth rate exceeding 20% [5] Market Overview - Southeast Asia has over 400 million monthly active users on TikTok, with the region's e-commerce market mirroring the early stages of China's e-commerce development [5] - The pet economy in Southeast Asia is identified as one of the most explosive segments, presenting a historic opportunity for Chinese merchants [5] Segment Growth - Three pet product categories are experiencing rapid growth: staple food and snacks (over 45% of demand), cleaning products (30%), and health care products (annual growth exceeding 100%) [6] - The cat economy significantly surpasses the dog economy in Southeast Asia, with cat ownership exceeding 60% in countries like Thailand and Malaysia [6] Market Dynamics - TikTok's e-commerce flow distribution in Southeast Asia differs from domestic trends, with a 30-40% share for shelf space, providing opportunities for merchants skilled in shelf operations [7] - Successful merchants adopt a "shelf + content" dual-drive model, optimizing product listings and leveraging influencer marketing for growth [7] Key Features for Success - Successful products in Southeast Asia must have appealing packaging, competitive pricing, and clear selling points, with a low return rate of under 2% for pet products [8] - Localization is crucial for long-term success, requiring adaptations in packaging, product descriptions, and marketing materials to fit local languages and preferences [8] - The evolving influencer ecosystem in Southeast Asia offers merchants opportunities to connect with influencers effectively, enhancing marketing efforts [8]