Last updated: August 2026 · By the PandaRoads team in China
Why Local Research Beats Desk Research
The China market runs on channels that don't exist in Western data: WeChat commerce, 1688, Douyin shops, JD and Tmall ecosystems, and a distribution network that behaves differently by province. Desk research from abroad sees the surface. Local research reads the actual market, what's on shelves, what's selling, who's really winning, and at what price.
What We Can Research
- Market entry assessment, size, demand signals, entry costs, regulatory basics
- Competitor mapping, who's in your category, their positioning, pricing and channels
- Channel analysis, e-commerce platforms, distributors, retail chains, WeChat/Douyin ecosystems
- Price benchmarking, real street prices vs list prices, online vs offline
- On-site fieldwork, store visits, shelf audits, trade fairs (Canton Fair, city expos), competitor outlets
- Industry reports, fixed packages from $299, delivered in English with sources
2 business days per request · Written English report with sources
On-site fieldwork: $239/day, same-day deliverables · Industry reports from $299
How Our Pricing Compares
Other firms sell one-off supplier checks or per-man-day inspection visits. We price by the research day — you get a written, sourced English report, not a checkbox. Public list prices, October 2026:
| Provider | Service model | Public price | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Agent | Remote supplier check (one supplier) | $95 | Reality-check of a single supplier |
| FlatFee Sourcing | 1688 sourcing report (one product) | $99 / product | Supplier shortlist for one SKU |
| NBNQC | Remote supplier verification | $149 / supplier | Business-license level verification |
| ChineseCheck | Full supplier report | $199 / report | One-off database report |
| PandaRoads | Remote market research, priced per day | $129 / day (8 hrs) | Written English report with sources within 2 business days per day booked |
| On-site inspection firms | Per man-day factory inspection | $198–268 / man-day | Attendance + checklist at a factory |
| PandaRoads | On-site fieldwork (stores, markets, fairs) | $239 / day | Same-day deliverables with photo evidence |
Prices taken from each provider's own public pricing pages as listed in October 2026; scope differs between rows, so compare the model, not just the number.
- 1. Scope with us. WhatsApp +86 173 5055 9673 or the quote form, what market, what questions, what decision you're making.
- 2. Approve the quote. Itemized scope and estimate within 24 hours.
- 3. We research. Remote within 2 business days per day; on-site same day with photo evidence.
- 4. You decide with facts. Every claim sourced, every price verifiable.
FAQ
Do you write in English? Yes, every report is written in clear English with sources you can verify.
Can you cover specific cities or provinces? Yes, scope it and we'll quote accordingly; cross-city fieldwork adds itemized travel, confirmed in advance.
Is my research confidential? Absolutely, briefs and findings are never shared with third parties.
What if I need more depth later? Follow-up days are billed at the same day rate; we build on the previous report.
Reply within 24 hours · Real-time WhatsApp: +86 173 5055 9673