3 ms·

Shenzhen has changed a lot in the past three years (when hasn't it) - but the specific trend I've noticed is the electronics factories moving out and the high e

Shenzhen has changed a lot in the past three years (when hasn't it) - but the specific trend I've noticed is the electronics factories moving out and the high end malls moving in. The cost of maintaining a 3x3 meter booth in HQB has continued to rise (especially now that the subway line construction has finished) while real business has shifted online to TaoBao. Yes, it's still the undisputed electronics center of the world but there's a palatable shift on the street from wholesale to retail. Factories I work with there say as much. Permitting is becoming a chore. Home ownership in a licensed complex (as opposed to unlicensed) is unattainable. Even trips to T2's are going further and further afield.

Canada 8y ago
Why would I want to bother going to HQB when I can just order from those guys on taobao? The consumerization of the electronics market is sad for those into browsing.. it's fun. But really, if you want to prototype something it's way easier to order online and if you actually want to produce something then random stuff from HQB or taobao isn't going to cut it anyway.
- paulgerhardt 8y ago
  Going to HQB is (was) valuable because: 1) You get a visceral read on what's up and coming - every month and half it's different but volume doesn't lie. Reading the tech news you're in a filter bubble for whatever company is spending the most on PR but on the street you get a real sense for what's being made in volume. Pulling the threads on why this new widget is trending this month is always educational. 2) For prototyping something I find HQB quicker - you can get supplies, programmers, and adapters all in under an hour - usually it was just a new test fixture for isolating a QA issue you've found but having it down the street is wonderful. For production, yes, by all means go through your supplier network. 3) Going in person let me build up guanxi with the niche vendors where I was a repeat customer. As a 6'4" huge foreigner I left an impression, and in turn was able to leverage that network to find things I couldn't/didn't know of. WeChat has streamlined this but the tone is completely different there between people I've met in person and people I haven't.
drenvuk 8y ago
My question is where are those companies moving to?
- paulgerhardt 8y ago
  Their HQB stand was usually a 'satellite' showcase for their factory which was located in the greater Guangdong province. Usually Bao'an. Now they're closing their showcase in the mall and just having an online presence and a factory showroom (if you don't mind a one hour drive).

Canada 8y ago

Why would I want to bother going to HQB when I can just order from those guys on taobao? The consumerization of the electronics market is sad for those into browsing.. it's fun. But really, if you want to prototype something it's way easier to order online and if you actually want to produce something then random stuff from HQB or taobao isn't going to cut it anyway.

paulgerhardt 8y ago
Going to HQB is (was) valuable because: 1) You get a visceral read on what's up and coming - every month and half it's different but volume doesn't lie. Reading the tech news you're in a filter bubble for whatever company is spending the most on PR but on the street you get a real sense for what's being made in volume. Pulling the threads on why this new widget is trending this month is always educational. 2) For prototyping something I find HQB quicker - you can get supplies, programmers, and adapters all in under an hour - usually it was just a new test fixture for isolating a QA issue you've found but having it down the street is wonderful. For production, yes, by all means go through your supplier network. 3) Going in person let me build up guanxi with the niche vendors where I was a repeat customer. As a 6'4" huge foreigner I left an impression, and in turn was able to leverage that network to find things I couldn't/didn't know of. WeChat has streamlined this but the tone is completely different there between people I've met in person and people I haven't.

drenvuk 8y ago

My question is where are those companies moving to?

paulgerhardt 8y ago
Their HQB stand was usually a 'satellite' showcase for their factory which was located in the greater Guangdong province. Usually Bao'an. Now they're closing their showcase in the mall and just having an online presence and a factory showroom (if you don't mind a one hour drive).