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Mon, Jul 29, 2002 - Page 11　News List

Retail faces new hurdles in China

As incomes in China rise, so do the number of modern trade outlets like convenience stores and supermarkets. Alistair Watts, managing director of ACNielsen China, was in Taiwan recently to deliver a report on the opportunities now presenting themselves and the conditions in the world's largest consumer market. Staff reporter Richard Dobson spoke with Watts about the phenomenal growth of China's retail market and how multinational brands are making headway on the shelves of modern retailers

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But take the core expertise in retailer or instant noodles or whatever and say, okay, that's a start point but we know we're in Sichuan Province. We know people like it spicy, or we're in Shanghai know they like it a little bit oily. Let's get it right.

Globalization is a wonderful thing but I just get concerned that the pendulum swings too far and we're moving into a one-size-fits-all across a large number of businesses. It would be a mistake to assume that's not necessarily the case.

We're moving from a model of marketing -- which is about understanding the consumer and adapting the product -- to selling there as take it or leave it. China is a bit too big to take that risk.

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