Pitch and Ship » International

China May Overtake U.S. in Online Sales within Next Four Years

Walter Verfenstein — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:00:56 +0000

According to Boston Consulting Group, e-commerce sales in China almost quadrupled between 2008 and 2010 to 476 billion yuan, as 23 percent of the country’s urban population shopped online last year, the consulting firm said in a report released yesterday. The report states that, “China’s massive geography hampers the effectiveness of physical retailing,” and that the country enjoys a low cost of shipping (roughly $1 on average to ship a 1-kilogram parcel, versus $6 in the U.S.) Those facts should suggest an opportunity for companies that specialize in virtually every kind of non-brick-and-mortar retailing, you know like HSN and QVC.

All of this leads one to wonder, why haven’t the U.S.-based shopping networks entered the Chinese market yet? Yes, Liberty Interactive said that they would look into such an expansion in the coming year. And yes, we know that finding the requisite Chinese partner company is a costly, cumbersome pain. But, come on, already! Bloomberg News Nov. 21, 2011

John Malone’s Liberty Interactive Keeps Options Open on HSN — Seeks to Expand QVC to China and France

News for Liberty Interactive Corp - Google Finance — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:07:53 +0000

John Malone's Liberty Interactive Keeps Options Open on HSN Hollywood Reporter - 20 hours ago

Liberty Media chairman John Malone is keeping his options open on his Liberty Interactive's future plans for home shopping network HSN. Liberty Interactive, the home of home shopping leader QVC, recently agreed to increase its stake in HSN to 34 percent, refueling long-running speculation that it could eye full control.

Malone also signaled that QVC would consider expanding QVC to additional international markets, including China and France

It’s a Small World: Consumers Most Everywhere Have a Downcast View of the Economy

Walter Verfenstein — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:16:46 +0000

The Nielsen Company’s Global Consumer Confidence Index painted a picture of glum consumers in most parts of the world during the third quarter. The powerhouses of the global economy are especially downbeat. One in three North Americans say they have no spare cash. One in five Europeans feel similarly. And even China’s consumer confidence index dipped by a point. Most of the places where consumer confidence is on the rise are starting from a low base — India and the Baltic states, for example. Here is how Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen, summed up the survey’s findings:

A recessionary mindset is growing among consumers as more than half say they are currently in a recession — up 4 percentage points from last quarter and 7 points from the start of the year. The result is continued spending restraint for discretionary expenses, which is expected to continue into next year.

Reuters Oct. 30, 2011

Chinese Online Retailer and Media Company Form Digital TV Shopping Joint Venture

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:32:40 +0000

Taobao, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, and Wasu Media Internet Limited, a subsidiary of Wasu Digital Television Media Group, have formed a joint venture to launch an interactive, digital television shopping network and website to target Chinese consumers. Taohua.com will be China’s first comprehensive digital products platform offering single-stop sharing and purchase of products. “For the first time in China, consumers will be able to shop from home on the Wasu Television Taobao Mall via interactive digital television shopping technology, which allows selection of goods and services using their TV.” Initial product categories will include: household goods, consumer electronics and apparel. The owners have capitalized the joint venture with RMB 100 million (approximately USD $14.7 million). Alibaba Group Press Release Jun. 29, 2010

Indian TV Shopping Channel, Star CJ Network, Expects to be On Air by August

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:31:57 +0000

“The [Indian] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has started rolling out licences again and we expect ours to come in soon. Our channel is expected to be on air by August,” STAR CJ Network India CEO Paritosh Joshi said. Star India and CJ Home Shopping Co. of Seoul, South Korea had formed a joint venture in 2008 to tap the home shopping market in India. Currently, the operation broadcasts six hours each day on another Star network channel, Star Utsav. The new network plans to target India’s Hindi-speaking population. Deccan Herald (India) Jun. 15, 2010

Worldwide Supply Chain Take Note — Costs in China Are Going Up

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:08:45 +0000

We may be seeing the beginning of the end of cheap production in China. One electronics company, which manufactures well-known products that include Apple iPhones and Dell computer parts, plans to double the salaries of its workers later this year. Honda Motor Company is doling out raises of 24 to 32 percent at its Southern China plants. And local governments have stepped up enforcement of labor and environmental regulations, also driving up production costs. The biggest factor is demographics; China is now experiencing a labor shortage in the big cities along the coast. Economists say the wage increases will eventually ripple through the global economy, driving up the prices of goods from T-shirts and sneakers to computer servers and smartphones. The New York Times Jun. 7, 2010

QVC International Revenue Increases 15% in 4Q to $751 Million

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:44:17 +0000

Source article recaps QVC’s 2009 performance in its home market and abroad. Among the details: QVC Japan lowered price points and sold less jewelry in the fourth quarter for a 17% increase in unit sales. In European news, QVC will begin airing in Italy in the fourth quarter of this year. www.DiamondNe.ws Mar. 3, 2010

Two Diamond Mines in Botswana Temporarily Close on Falling Demand

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:11:10 +0000

In response to a precipitous fall in the demand for diamonds in recent months, Debswana — the mining company jointly owned by De Beers and the Botswanan government — has closed the Orapa and Damtshaa mines in northern Botswana. Half of the landlocked, southern African nation’s finances come from diamond trading. Radio France Internationale (English Language) Feb. 24, 2009

Canadian Retail Sales in December Suffer Biggest Drop in 15 Years

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:02:13 +0000

Widespread declines in all sectors pushed retail sales down 5.4 per cent in December to $33 billion. Sectors traditionally associated with holiday shopping, such as sales at clothing and accessories stores, fell 3.7 per cent, continuing several months of declines. The Canadian Press on Google News Feb. 23, 2009

Surprise! Swiss Watch Sales Rose 6.7% Last Year

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:54:19 +0000

Swiss watch exports turned in another banner year in 2008, despite ending on a downcast note that is carrying over into this year, of course. “Watch exports increased 6.7 percent in value (export price) to 17 billion Swiss francs (almost $14.6 billion), the fifth year they’ve topped prior year results. In terms of units, however, total exports barely finished ahead of 2007, increasing just 0.8 percent to 26.2 million watches (a gain of only 210,000 units).” JCK Online Feb. 5, 2009