This week’s podcast is about the Coupang of South Korea. An interesting case of local dominance (geographic) based initially on competitive advantages on the cost side. But potentially also on the demand side.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.

The advantages for Coupang I mentioned are:

• Production Cost Advantage: Location or Transportation Cost Advantage
• Economies of Scale: Purchase Economies
• Economies of Scale: Distribution Network Density
• Economies of Scale: IT and R&D Spending
• Production Cost Advantage: Proprietary Technology (possible)
• Network Effects (possible)
• Share of Consumer Mind / Branding / Habit Formation (possible)

Here are the quotes I mentioned from the IPO filing (see webpage)

Related podcasts and articles are:

• Why Revenue Scale and Operating Leverage Are Different for Software vs. AI. (Asia Tech Strategy – Podcast 69)
• JD Won Online With Profitless Growth. But “New Retail” Has Different Rules. (Pt 2 of 4)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

• Production Cost Advantage: Proprietary Technology
• Production Cost Advantage: Location or Transportation Cost Advantage
• Economies of Scale: Purchase Economies
• Economies of Scale: Distribution Network Density
• Economies of Scale: IT and R&D Spending
• Revenue Scale and Operating Leverage

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

• Coupang
• Walmart

I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.

I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.

This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

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