Chris Davey, CEO and longtime host of FBA4U Meetups, is on the podcast to talk about what's changed at the Canton Fair, how Chinese manufacturing has evolved since 2020, and live-streaming commerce.

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The biggest sourcing event in the world is happening next week.

The Canton Fair, which starts on October 15th, isn't what it used to be. With growing tensions against the US, there has not been as much Western Amazon sellers attending the event.

However, Chris Davey is an exception. Chris has been living in China for 15 years as the host of one of the biggest e-commerce events in China, FBA4U, where e-commerce entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes are welcome.

He's been invited to today's podcast to report on what's changed in the Canton Fair, if it is still worth it to go, and what the e-commerce environment has changed. Have Chinese third-party sellers also been feeling the pressure from Amazon? Or have they all moved to Temu, Shein, and other marketplaces?

We also discuss why China still is the best place to source products from and how countries like Vietnam and Thailand compare when it comes to product sourcing. Chris also talks about live streaming, regulations that Chinese sellers face, and whether working conditions in Chinese factories have improved overall.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Chris Davey
00:58 - Details about the FBA4U Canton Fair meetup
01:28 - Changes observed at the Canton Fair post-COVID
02:31 - Quiet Light Brokerage and business valuation
04:26 - Funding options during Q4 with On-Ramp Funds
06:51 - Chris's background and experience in China
07:27 - History and details of the FBA4U Canton Fair meetup
08:58 - Impact of COVID and US-China tensions on trade
11:59 - Visiting China for Canton Fair: Guangzhou vs Hong Kong
14:27 - Other trade shows around Canton Fair
17:22 - Factories relocating outside China
19:57 - Productivity and working conditions in Chinese factories
23:46 - Living conditions and property prices in Shenzhen
29:55 - The Chinese seller scene in Shenzhen
36:49 - Live streaming in China and its potential in the US
40:22 - FBA4U meetup details and future plans
42:16 - Event attendance and changes over the years
43:00 - Queueing behavior in China
44:20 - Closing remarks and next steps in China trade

Chris, thanks for coming on the podcast. If you'd like to check out Chris and FBA4U, you can check them out here.

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

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