By 2026, the global market of goods from China is entering a phase of qualitative transformation. The model based on the race for the lowest price and mass copying of successful products stops working. Pressure from consumers, regulators, and marketplaces themselves is shaping a new landscape in which not resellers benefit, but entrepreneurs who are able to create solutions for specific audience tasks.
The key shift is the transition to hyper—niche products. The buyer is no longer looking for a universal product "for everyone". Requests become extremely specific: not just a gadget, but a device for a specific age, scenario, or medical task. This radically changes the approach to working with Chinese factories. Manufacturing is increasingly being used as a service — OEM and ODM models allow you to adapt the product to the customer's narrow pain and create a unique sales offer.
At the same time, the trend towards environmental friendliness and ethics is increasing. For Generation Z and young millennials, the origin of the product, materials, and production conditions become part of the value of the product. Certificates, recycled raw materials and transparent supply chains are moving from the category of options to the category of mandatory requirements. Chinese manufacturers are actively adapting to this demand by investing in green lines and sustainable technologies.
A separate area of growth is the robotization of everyday life and personal health. In 2026, demand is shifting from entertainment devices to functional solutions: home robots, medical gadgets for monitoring the body, devices for automating routine tasks. These categories demonstrate steady demand even in the face of macroeconomic uncertainty.
Augmented reality is no longer a marketing gimmick. AR functions are increasingly integrated directly into the product and the sales ecosystem, allowing you to "try on" furniture, cosmetics or interior solutions before purchase. For Chinese manufacturers, this opens up a new level of product and digital service integration.
At the same time, the market is moving away from anonymous noname positions. Sellers who started with marketplaces like AliExpress are increasingly transforming into DTC brands, investing in recognition, packaging, and long-term customer relationships. The brand becomes a key asset, not a side effect of sales.
The final factor is the tightening of regulatory control. In the EU, the USA and Russia, the requirements for product security, certification and data protection are being strengthened. This increases the entry threshold, but at the same time clears the market of random players, creating advantages for those who are willing to work legally and systematically.
Thus, 2026 becomes the dividing point. The market is finally moving away from the "bought—resold" model and moving towards a strategy of deep expertise, partnership with Chinese production and focus on the long-term value of the product.
