Building brands in/out of China
Great new white paper on building brands in and out of China, with contributions from P&G, MasterCard and other experts.
Here’s the link > http://bit.ly/nonGJ6
French retail experience designed for Chinese tourists
Great article in the New York Times on how French retail brands Galeries Lafayette and Au Printemps have designed shopping experiences specifically for Chinese tourists, complete with special entrances, Chinese-language store briefings, personal shoppers and digital cards enabling time-pressed tourists to spend more, more quickly.
Look out for Jack’s white paper, coming out next week, on brand-building in and out of China. Among the articles is an interview on luxury branding in China with Norman Chan of Kerry Development Ltd.
11 Amazing Fake 'Harry Potter' Books Written In China →
Looks like China is adept at copying more than just the physical Apple store experience…they also put their own twist on literary experiences and the Harry Potter brand!
Fake Apple Store found in China.
When Oscar Wilde once wrote, “Talent borrows, genius steals”, he probably didn’t have in mind a visit to the Genius bar in this completely fake Apple store in Kunming City, China. If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, then Apple should be very happy with this rip-off. Taking brand piracy to a whole new level, this store is an accurate copy, with all the correct graphics, furniture, employee uniforms and interior finishes. Even the staff think that they’re actually working in a real Apple store! The only clue that this isn’t the real deal, is the inclusion of the words ‘Apple Store’ on the shop exterior, when Apple usually just has their fruit icon.
Previously it has always been just products that have been pirated, but when a whole ‘brand experience’ is pirated, surely this is a clear demonstration of the power and financial value of a brand in practice.
KFC's Key to Explosive Growth in China: Be Different →
I recently returned from a trip to China where there are more KFC’s than any other multinational fast food chain. It’s amazing how different the menu is compared to the US version. Check out this article on why KFC has been so successful in China.
Brands in (and out) of China
I had a fascinating conversation with colleagues in Beijing a couple days ago about brands in China. For me the stunner was learning that Walmart and Pizza Hut are considered aspirational brands in China; however strong they are as brands here in the US, they’re not that.
But after listening to NPR’s great story on brands in China, I completely get it. It’s definitely worth a listen/read: http://www.npr.org/2011/06/22/137320938/chinas-businesses-boom-but-its-brands-dont
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