China’s International Economics and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) has ruled that Guangzhou Pharmaceutical (600332:SHA), the original trademark owners of popular herbal tea brand Wang Laoji, should henceforth own the rights to the trademark, rather than JDB Group, which has been producing Wang Laoji in its distinctive red can since 1997. JDB licensed the trademark from Guangzhou Pharmaceutical, in a deal that was extended until 2020, but the latter argued that its former vice president, Li Yimin, had taken bribes prior to signing those contracts. JDB has rejected the ruling, but in the meantime has launched a new herbal tea brand, Jia Duo Bao.

Strong growth of its downstream distribution business should enable Qingdao Haier to consolidate its leadership of China’s white-goods market

For home appliance makers struggling amid weakening domestic demand and waning export orders, the government’s latest initiative to stimulate China’s slowing economy could hardly have come at a better time. 

The new subsidy scheme should help to rekindle lacklustre domestic TV and refrigerator sales for Hisense

Younger migrant workers spend more, are more brand conscious, want to live nearer home and dream of starting their own businesses, a CC grassroots survey finds

Each quarter, China Confidential surveys more than 2,000 Chinese urban, middle-class consumers in more than 200 cities nationwide on their brand preference and spending behaviour across a range of products

With consumer spending slowing and aggressive expansion heightening already stiff competition in many leading cities, 2012 promises to be a challenging year for leading department store chains

Despite posting its weakest quarterly results for five years, department store chain Wangfujing’s strong presence in promising inland regions and multi-store strategy should help to turn performance around