3 ms·

For those that want to see how China is changing: Don't visit China. Visit Hong Kong. No other place exemplifies the rise of the Chinese middle/upper class lik

For those that want to see how China is changing: Don't visit China. Visit Hong Kong. No other place exemplifies the rise of the Chinese middle/upper class like it does. The size and popularity of the high end boutique labels e.g. LV, Hermes, Zegna, Gucci far exceeds that of Tokyo, Paris, London, New York. If Apple does cement the iPhone as a status symbol alongside the LV bag it is going to soak up a tremendous amount of profit.

dasil003 14y ago
> If Apple does cement the iPhone as a status symbol alongside the LV bag it is going to soak up a tremendous amount of profit. This idea fascinates me because tech brands have always been commodities or at best trendy. If Apple can achieve long-term status along the lines of upscale fashion labels that will be absolutely amazing and yet not undeserved.
- taligent 14y ago
  The interesting thing is how much the retail strategy has played into it. If you walk down the high street in Ginza, Tokyo you see the Apple Store (which is always packed to capacity) just down from Chanel and Cartier. Which with its strong architectural design really makes it feel like it belongs alongside those other brands. What's telling as well is that the Sony HQ in Ginza feels so dated.
ehamberg 14y ago
I would actually recommend visiting Shenzhen as well. I have been there a few times over the last five years and it's really interesting to see the rise of luxury items (fancy cars, expensive (real!) handbags and the token iPhone and iPad) in the city centre. Shenzhen is even in China (though, in a special economic zone).
gurkendoktor 14y ago
I think the media is already heavily distorted because everyone is reporting from either Hong Kong, Shanghai or Peking and using these to represent (Greater) China. The one exception is probably Shenzhen due to the occasional Foxconn scandal.

dasil003 14y ago

> If Apple does cement the iPhone as a status symbol alongside the LV bag it is going to soak up a tremendous amount of profit. This idea fascinates me because tech brands have always been commodities or at best trendy. If Apple can achieve long-term status along the lines of upscale fashion labels that will be absolutely amazing and yet not undeserved.

taligent 14y ago
The interesting thing is how much the retail strategy has played into it. If you walk down the high street in Ginza, Tokyo you see the Apple Store (which is always packed to capacity) just down from Chanel and Cartier. Which with its strong architectural design really makes it feel like it belongs alongside those other brands. What's telling as well is that the Sony HQ in Ginza feels so dated.

ehamberg 14y ago

I would actually recommend visiting Shenzhen as well. I have been there a few times over the last five years and it's really interesting to see the rise of luxury items (fancy cars, expensive (real!) handbags and the token iPhone and iPad) in the city centre. Shenzhen is even in China (though, in a special economic zone).

gurkendoktor 14y ago

I think the media is already heavily distorted because everyone is reporting from either Hong Kong, Shanghai or Peking and using these to represent (Greater) China. The one exception is probably Shenzhen due to the occasional Foxconn scandal.