| Subscribe via RSS

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

June 29th, 2010 | Comments Off | Posted in Distribution Channel, Featured, Geography, International, Worldwide Web

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

Tags: , , , ,

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

June 15th, 2010 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer, Distribution Channel, Geography, International

“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

Tags: , , ,

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

June 8th, 2010 | Comments Off | Posted in Geography, International, Research, Trends, Forecasts

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

Tags: , ,

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

March 3rd, 2010 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer, Featured, Gemstones/Gemstone jewelry, International, Jewelry (fine)

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

Tags: ,

Two Diamond Mines in Botswana Temporarily Close on Falling Demand

February 24th, 2009 | Comments Off | Posted in Gemstones/Gemstone jewelry, International, Suppliers

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

Tags: , , ,

Canadian Retail Sales in December Suffer Biggest Drop in 15 Years

February 24th, 2009 | Comments Off | Posted in International, Research, Trends, Forecasts

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

Tags:

Surprise! Swiss Watch Sales Rose 6.7% Last Year

February 5th, 2009 | Comments Off | Posted in International, Suppliers, Watches

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

Tags:

Attendance Holds Firm at Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair

October 13th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in Gemstones/Gemstone jewelry, International, Jewelry (fine), Trade Shows & Exhibitions

Despite the worldwide economic crisis and political unrest in Thailand, the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair seemingly turned in a strong performance last weeek.  Attendance held steady.  Trade receipts amounted to $784 million and 1,115 companies exhibited.  JCK Online Oct. 10, 2008

Tags:

Indian-Korean JV Plans to Launch Shopping Network in India

September 30th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer, International

Star India and CJ Home Shopping Co. of Seoul, Korea, have formed a joint venture company, called Star CJ Network India, and plan to introduce TV home shopping to India early next year.  “Currently, the home shopping genre is largely unorganised with only a few players airing ‘paid-programmes’ on existing networks.”  Star India is India’s largest cable channel and CJ Home Shopping introduced TV shopping to Korea back in 1995.  The new network will be called Star CJ Network India.  Business Standard (India)  Sept. 28, 2008

Tags: , , ,

Amidst Talk of Financial World, Hong Kong Jewelry Show Exhibitors Report Mixed Results

September 22nd, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in International, Trade Shows & Exhibitions

An emerald seller reported strong sales, despite slower traffic in the Fine Design Pavilion, and attributed his good fortune to the relatively small number of emerald specialists.  Another seller said that the show wasn’t “…as spectacular as usual,” but noted that sales at his firm’s lower and mid-range jewelry booth were holding up ok.  Other exhibitor cited the importance of a diverse product line and, especially, diverse geographic markets as important factors in maintaining sales in a down economy.  International Diamond Exchange Sept. 21, 2008

Tags: ,