Asia’s biggest flower market makes stars out of influencers

Cai Cai selling flowers in a makeshift studio at the Dounan Flower Market in Kunming in southwestern China's Yunnan province. Demand for cut flowers has soared in China as standards of living have risen, with the southern province of Yunnan at the epicentre of that boom thanks to its all-year mild climate. — AFP

KUNMING, China: Boxes of roses, lilies and carnations pile up as influencer Caicai speaks into her smartphone from a small studio at Asia’s biggest flower market – with thousands of customers eagerly awaiting her view on the best deals.

E-commerce is big business in China and influencers and livestreamers have made their fortunes showcasing products for luxury brands and cosmetics firms.