Blog about Virtual Assistant, Outsourcing, KPO, BPO and China

As consumers are paying more for basic necessities and are more willing to spend in the face of rising inflation, China’s retail sales increased 22 percent in April from a year earlier. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), sales of foodstuff and beverage climbed 25.3 percent while spending on grain and edible oil surged by 36.3 percent.

After some research, Song Yu and Liang Hong, Goldman Sachs’ economists said, “With inflation at a decade high level, it is not surprising to see nominal retail sales reaching Read more…

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China Business, China Consumer Market, China Economy consumer, decade-high, inflation, retail, sale

Online clothing retailer PPG said it has plans to list in the US toward the end of this year or in early 2009, either on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ.

Relying on the Internet and call centers, the company applies an e-commerce and traditional retail business model, which helped PPG to save the cost of maintaining retail outlets and attract $80 million in investment from TDF, JAFCO Asia, KPCB, and San Shan Capital Partners. Like Dell in the computer industry, its strong point lies in direct sales and 80% of its orders are over 250 yuan.

PPG’s biggest expense is advertising. The retailer spent 230 million yuan on advertising last year—about a third of its 700 million yuan in sales revenue. Its advertisement covers almost every possible channel—newspapers, TV, magazine and direct mail. Last year its ad budget shrank when management deemed market recognition was satisfactory.

“Now, we’re focusing our marketing strategy on branding,” said David Lee, its chairman. “We want to be another Gap.”
Instead of opening retail outlets, the company will strive to expand its business to second-and-third-tier cities through an intensive ad campaign in those markets. “We want to reach most cities across the nation in the next two years,” said Lee.

Besides, PPG is also looking for opportunities to explore the overseas market. It has set up a US subsidiary in late March and next stop will be Europe and beyond.

Like PPG, BPOVIA Ltd based in China also works through the internet and opens its door to all those who are looking for virtual assistants to tap the Chinese market.

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BPO, China Business News, China Consumer Market, China Virtual Assistant, Internet and Hi-Tech advertising, BPOVIA, China, clothing, e-commerce, internet, PPG, retail

As the world’s second largest PC maker, Dell Inc is seeking strategic partners in China to launch a direct commercial product partnership plan.

It is expected to enroll 1000 partners in China by the end of this year as a new way of entering the country’s huge and profitable PC market. There are two different kinds of partners that Dell will enlist in the country, namely industry authorization partners and commercial product franchise dealers. The purpose of this plan is to increase Dell’s accessibility into small and medium-sized companies in smaller Chinese cities. Some of the commercial partners will sell Dell hardware to end-users, while others will offer hardware and support services.

The president of Dell Greater China was quoted as saying that the commercial product partnership plan was an important part of Dell’s long-term strategy in China.

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China Business, China Business News Dell, IT, partnership, PC market, retail