The Asian rights to the Aquascutum brand are now owned by a Hong Kong company that's opening stores in China and elsewhere in Asia. The brand's traditional British heritage and long-standing reputation for quality has helped build a loyal following among Asian consumers. The stores reinforce the upmarket image through careful presentation and understated ambiance.
Burberry (below), not surprisingly, has a growing presence in China, as does Hermes, due to rising demand for high fashion products.
Nike is another Western brand enjoying high sales in China, because its brand personality appeals to status-minded buyers of sports apparel and equipment.
At the same time, now that the Beijing Olympics are in the past, and the crowds of visitors have thinned a bit, retail vacancies are visible in some areas. This means prestigious retail locations are again available.
Meanwhile, Chinese brands are looking West for expansion possibilities. Through events such as the European Showcase for Brands of China, they're bringing their products to UK exhibitions and seeking to win new markets beyond their home country.
