Just before China shut down for the National Day holiday, one of the more extraordinary court cases in recent times drew to a close. Danone, the French food and drinks giant, finally settled its dispute with Wahaha, its Chinese joint venture partner and agreed to sell off its 51pc stake, handing the Chinese full control. […]
Category: Consumer
Lower-tier consumers are spending more, but success for brands is not guaranteed
China’s stratospheric retail sales growth is drawing in consumer firms like flies to name-brand honey. Retail sales grew 15.4% year-on-year in August, up from 15.2% in July – figures particularly alluring to foreign brands at a time when US retail sales are flat in most areas. As many retail businesses in China are aware, however, […]
Beijing has for years insisted that the key to sustainable economic development lies in moving away from investment-led growth toward consumption. So far, however, the government’s efforts to boost consumption have had little effect. Despite rising spending among consumers, a recent report by Citigroup economists Shen Minggao and Ken Peng notes that the overall ratio […]
Belle International (1880.HK) Brands: Belle, Teenmix, Tata, Staccato, FATO, Senda, Basto, Millie’s, Jipijapa, Joy & Peace, Haorenyuan; Licensed: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Mizuno, Li Ning, Kappa, Converse, Bata, Elle, BCBG, Mephisto, Geox, Clarks, Merrell, Caterpillar, Sebago 1H 2009 results: Operating profit US$185.29 million, up 11% y/y; revenues US$1.36 billion, up 13% No. of stores: 9,104 […]