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Business Consumer

Shopping spree

Forget talk of a global downturn going local: China’s consumers are alive and well

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Business Consumer

Lost in the crowd: Home décor presents an uphill battle

One’s first impression upon visiting a Chinese Ikea outlet is of the crowd: Examining the model kitchens, taking measurements of couches, lining up for Swedish meatballs at the cafeteria. But Paul French, chief China representative of market research firm Access Asia and a regular contributor to CHINA ECONOMIC REVIEW, believes the real story is at […]

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Business Consumer

Life in the shark pool: Selling electronics

China’s consumers may be increasingly liberal in their spending habits, but that has not always translated into success for retailers. Many are dragged into cut-price competition and few are able to truly differentiate themselves. Nowhere is that more true than the consumer electronics retail segment – despite this being ranked as the category most Chinese […]

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Business Consumer

Fight for the middle ground

Foreign and domestic clothing brands are vying for the affections of China’s consumer classes

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Business Consumer

Big ambitions: Can Li Ning take on the world?

It’s hard to imagine a better moment for guerrilla marketing. At the opening ceremony for this summer’s Olympics in Beijing, Li Ning, founder of China’s leading sportswear firm of the same name, flew through the air to bring the Olympic torch to light. Investors took note and Li Ning – which was not an official […]