For Beijing resident Alex He, 29, the cost of a trip to the mall can easily top $3,000 (NT$96,654). “I used to buy a lot of luxury brands, but in the last year or so I’ve been purchasing more of the sports brands because they are more comfortable and more fashionable,” said He.
Chinese consumers like He, who want to make statements when they go shopping, are turning more to Western sports brands. Under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s multi-year campaign to reduce conspicuous consumption of luxury goods by public officials, even as sales of luxury fashion, cars and other prestige products suffer, sportswear brands are robust.
Nike’s Greater China sales are strong, with orders from September to April up between 27 and 35 percent. Sales in Greater China for Adidas grew 38 percent. Last year, it opened more than 500 Chinese stores. Under Armour Inc. is making headway. Stephen Curry’s basketball shoes have given it a foothold in that category.
Photo: AFP
照片:法新社
The big foreign sportswear brands are safer bets for many consumers wondering about the political implications of their purchases. Chinese concerned about flaunting their big spending want to buy products that are obviously expensive but not excessively glitzy.
(Bloomberg)
對於北京二十九歲的艾力克斯‧何來說,一趟商場購物之旅常會花到三千美元。他說︰「我以前愛買奢華的精品,但是過去一年左右大多是買運動品牌。它們比較舒服,也比較潮。」
就像何先生一樣,許多中國消費者想要藉由購物來展現、表達自我,紛紛轉向西方運動品牌。中國領導人習近平近年來打壓官員炫富式精品消費,精品時裝、汽車、名品全都遭殃,不過運動服飾品牌依然強勁。
「耐吉」在大中華區的訂單大增,從去年九月到今年四月增加了百分之二十七至百分之三十五不等。「愛迪達」在大中華區的銷量增加了百分之三十八,去年在中國展店超過五百家。「安德瑪」也持續成長,NBA球星史帝芬‧柯瑞代言的籃球鞋讓該公司在球鞋此品項佔有一席之地。
因為擔心購物產生政治影響的消費者,大型外國運動品牌可說是安全牌。那些對於過份炫耀大筆花費感到不安的中國人,都想購買看起來不便宜卻不會過於炫富的產品。
(張聖恩編譯)
A: Also, police seized seven pornographic videos featuring minors that entertainer Mickey Huang purchased in his hard disc. B: That’s just outrageous! A: His ex-girlfriend entertainer Little S and some others are calling for a legal amendment to increase the penalty. B: The buyers and sellers should both be punished heavily. A: But the porn sellers’ Web sites are mostly overseas, so they are hard to catch. A: 此外警方也在黃子佼的硬碟裡,查到7部他買的未成年色情片。 B: 真是令人火大! A: 他的前女友小S等人,還呼籲修法,加重相關的罰則。 B: 購買者和販賣者雙方都該重罰。 A: 不過色情網站大多設在海外要抓也不容易吧。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
A: Entertainer Mickey Huang’s #MeToo scandal has kept snowballing. B: Didn’t Huang just escape prosecution on several sexual misconduct charges due to a lack of evidence? A: He has now been accused of raping a woman identified as "Miss K." B: It’s like one trouble follows another! A: His decent “persona” in the showbiz has totally collapsed. A: 藝人黃子佼的#MeToo事件真是沒完沒了。 B: 他的性騷擾案不是因為證據不足獲得不起訴? A: 但他又被某位「K小姐」指控性侵。 B: 天啊,真是一波未平,一波又起! A: 他在娛樂圈的優質「人設」都崩壞啦。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
Jumping rope has long been considered an excellent form of exercise. It not only burns calories but also improves cardiovascular health and __1__ core muscles. Anyone who has used a traditional jump rope, though, knows that it requires a certain level of skill and coordination. However, with the development of the cordless jump rope, this is __2__ the case. The cordless jump rope is an innovation in the fitness industry that has gained popularity in recent years. As its name suggests, it doesn’t have a cord connecting the two handles. Instead, each handle features a short cord with a
Let’s explore another delicacy primarily known to Tainan locals: floating milkfish in thick soup. Despite its peculiar name, this dish is another Tainan specialty that showcases the popularity of milkfish, which is made into fish paste and served in thick soup. Unlike the version with tutuo fish, which also adds other ingredients to its thick soup, the floating milkfish version primarily features the “floating fish” itself in its thick soup, ensuring that the fish paste remains the star of the dish. 讓我們來探索另一道台南人熟悉的美食:浮水魚羹。這道菜名奇特的美食,再再展現了台南虱目魚料理的多樣。浮水魚羹是用虱目魚漿做成的羹品,雖然和𩵚魠魚羹一樣是羹湯,但不像𩵚魠魚羹會在湯中加入其他食材,而是讓虱目魚漿成為這道料理的主角。 peculiar (adj.) 獨特的;古怪的 The belly of a milkfish is considered the most