Profits are hard to come by in China’s luxury market – but that’s hardly a deterrent to companies selling everything from watches to wine. The fancy brands that are flooding the market are honing a long-term strategy

It’s late Saturday morning at Beijing’s newest exclusive shopping mall, Shin Kong Place. Near the China World Trade Center in what is known as the “Central Business District,” the mall has seven floors of stores seductively displaying designer clothes and jewelry while classical music discreetly plays in the background. The place oozes class and sophistication, and its stores are no different: famous brands such as Chanel, Chloé and Rolex are already open for business. There’s only one problem – where are all the customers?
Bottega Veneta’s first store in Beijing is in Shin Kong Place, and the exclusive Italian leather goods company present their elegant handbags, luggage and leather wallets, all spot-lit in display cabinets. The designer-clad staff are keen to help anyone who wanders in, but so far, few have. When a shop assistant is asked how many people she has served since the store opened a few weeks ago, she whispers, “Very few. We spend most of the day tidying and re-positioning the stock.”
Of course, it is a new store, and the more discreet goods that don’t sport famous logos may not yet appeal to the taste of many of China’s luxury shoppers, who are more inclined towards flaunting what they’ve got. But even some world-renowned luxury brands that have invested heavily in China for a couple of decades are still not turning a tidy profit. The Chinese mainland luxury market is proving harder to crack than many overseas companies anticipated. Meanwhile, competition for the companies seeking a slice has never been so intense. In the first quarter of this year, four upmarket retail developments opened, as well as Shin Kong Place in May. The mammoth multi-storied Four Seasons Shopping Center on Beijing’s Financial Street is set to open its doors next month.
But is there money to be made? Cartier’s managing director in China, Nigel Luk, says that the jewelry and watch seller is barely breaking even after 15 years in the Chinese mainland, even though it is the country’s top-selling luxury jewelry brand. (more…)

After flying more than 12 hours, the UA 898 flight landed on the Washington airport at 6:37 pm Washington Time. I couldn’t tell the feeling the moment I was on the land of the US. It is really beautiful. The most different is that there are trees everywhere.This is my no.0346 travel!

The hotel we will stay in is about 50 minutes’ drive from the airport. But it seemed that the trip was not very long for the beautiful view along the road. It was not very hot at the time.

I should say that the hotel is really very satisfying except that we met some difficulties on telephoning home. After going into the room, we found that it was nearly impossible to make a phone call home. Perhaps something was wrong with the card and we didn’t know how to manage it.

I have to stop here. Another teacher want to use my laptop to connect with her families.

The cost of surfing the net is $9.95 per day. Really dear!

I have graduated from the school for one whole year, how time flies! The life is going on, though everyday is similar to everyday, I should often look back the days past and have a think about the past, to make myself not get lost in this fade life of work.

In this year, what I felt most strongly is the life of work is not as perfect as what I imagined when I was in university, Yuanzi said I always think too nice about the unknown. I remember one words that no hope no disappointment, someone who never expect too much won’t feel lost when the reality is not so good. But I don’t think it’s a disadvantage of mine, contrarily it’s what arouse me to strive all the while. I always think the unknown is full of unknown wonders and I want to experience the life I never lived. For these years experience, I found maybe the result is not what I wanted, but what is important is not the result , it’s the process of the pursuing. (more…)

well it’s hotel com.In a sense,the housekeeping apartmengt is thought to be a backbone,it is importment to operate it.In addition as a housekeeping staff,they should not only serve people wholeheartely,but also make sure that they are selling what peoplewant to buy ,whats more i think it is necessary to cooperate closely with the front office,just hotel com,so the staff can have a good  time with people.

It’s exactly 1 year since I left Parrot Cay and flew to London.

It’s been a good year. My career basically went into reset and now I’m stuck in POST mode at this point of time.
But defintely no regrets. Got to made a few friends in my travels. And I got to travel with my friends from VS.

Now that my knee is injured from futsal, I guess it’s good that i did all the walking / trekking.

While I’ve spent the last 1 year travelling and fufilling what I think are dreams in life. I still have a list of places to go and things to do - taking the trans-siberian from Beijing to Moscow, visting Tibet vis the train and walking around the Everest’s base camp.

I’ll like to go back Lijiang again with my mom (who wants to stay in the historical town). And take the train to Tibet with my dad.

Funny thing is all I want now is to be able to take care of my parents and do my travelling - sometimes with them, sometimes with my friends and sometimes on my own.

Yunnan— literally meaning “south of the colorful clouds”, this is a place where has many beautiful views and colorful culture. It is also one of China’s provinces that borders on the greatest number of neighboring countries and has the longest borderline: bordering on Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos, connecting Thailand Cambodia through the Lancang–Mekong River, and neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, India and Bengal.

1.) Kunming City— spring city and flower city.
Kunming is among the most famous historical and cultural cities and one of the top tourist cities in China. Due to its pleasant climate, plateau scenery, age-old history, diverse ethnic customs, and unique plants and animals, Kunming attracts domestic and foreign tourists all year round. As the tourism center of Yunnan province, Kunming has also been a transport hub, from where tourists can go easily to places.
Some views in Kunming: Yunnan Nationalities Village, World Horti–Expo Garden, Western Mountains, Dianchi Lake, the Golden Temple, Bamboo Temple, etc. (more…)

The time is flying ,yes,ten years ago ,I’m in a middle school,and four years ago,I’m studying in a University .Now ,just work !In fact,wo should Feel congratulating self,because that all we are growing ,the direction to regards.

But sometimes we feel dejected ,do you feel that?We have to face many problems everyday ,no time to think ,to turn ourself’ head.I find everybody work hard for girls,for house ,we looks laborious,but happy .

I work four years ,i find i’m lost ,I got nothing ,/ for what ?or what for ?of cause ,I ‘v a dream ,like others,I want to build a Commerce empire ,is it a fun ?I told myself :just do it . I think it will come ture .

Now ,I want to go to a Consulting org. I want to learn the knowledges for one years,then to a Foreign company for advanced managerial experience.Beijing is a good city ,but also there are many things to be improved and perfect,I think we all have chance yet . Here is always difficult to compose like the county’s other city .I ‘l call my Corp “XinYing “,is it  fond of listening to?

The world is affecting us,do you want to affect the world ?
All of all , just that : keep walking !

Today I got a E-mail from a guy named Jassim Al Azzawe, here is the content:

Attention For Charity

My name is Jassim Al Azzawe crude oil dealer from Argentina. I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and have been in the hospital in England. The illness has defied all forms of Medical treatment, and right now I have about few months to live,
according to the medical experts. (more…)