Having succeeded to renew its license in China, Google is looking to further increase its offering by launching Shihui, a group purchase deal aggregator. This would allow Chinese to compare prices, brands, discounts, location, and more from leading Chinese group purchase websites (including Gaopeng, Nuomi, Lashou, and Meituan).

The idea of aggregating deals from multiple sites is not new. Competitors for Google’s Shihui (shi hui literally means inexpensive but useful) include tuan800.com and etao.com. Adapting to Chinese shoppers’ requirements, competition will be inevitably intensify in the space, as detailed on Penn Olson.

From the article:

A Google representative told us over the phone that Google Shihui is built entirely in China and has nothing to do with The Dealmap, for now. Acknowledging that China’s group buying space is pretty crazy right now with over 5000 sites across the country, he explained that aggregators have become a part of the landscape as a consequence. And Shihui is Google’s experimental effort to help consumers sort through what’s out there.

The American ice cream brand Dairy Queen is now offering its own version of traditional Chinese moon cakes, they are hoping their new product will appeal to LOHASians.

On June 21, a post-90s girl, Guo Meimei caused outrage among netizens by posting ostentatious photos of her villa, several luxury sports cars, and a dozen or so colorful Hermès handbags. When netizens investigated this flaunter’s identity, they saw on her Sina Weibo personal profile that Guo claimed to be the general manager of Red Cross Commerce. Ay yo! Now there are rumors being swung online suspecting the Red Cross of misusing funds. A host of companies, brands and people are being connected to the scandalous rumors (which are mind you, rumors).

A Sina micrblogger made a relationship chart tying Guo Meimei to various companies, brands, organizations and celebrities, helping people better understand how the situation got complicated after the “Guo Meimei incident” exploded online.

Finally MIDI Festival debuted in Shanghai! Held outside in Pudong’s Century Park from May 6 to May 8, over 40 foreign and domestic bands gave local music fans a rock carnival busting with music and fashion.

The nostalgia trend that post-80s have embraced was evident in fan fashion: caps from the Cultural Revolution period, tees with “80” printed on them, “Qing Chun (青春meaning youth)” also showed up on t-shirts, sailor’s striped shirts. Some of the hottest accessories made the show including unzipped black masks and the five-stroke armband made famous by recent junior nationalist phenomenon 12 year-old Huang Yibo (see China Daily’s report on him here).
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We spotted Huang Xiaoming’s new billboard for Vancl canvas shoes in subway. Vancl started to work with Xiaoming on March 26th recognizing the star’s embodiment of the brand’s key characteristics such as striving, being real and optimistic.

Huang Xiaoming is one of the most famous young actors in China, active in TV and movie screens and famous for starring in a new adaptation of the TV series Shanghai Bund. He has a reputation for pronouncing English words in a very thick Chinese accent. Huang Xiaoming received wide criticism online because of the “Not At All” incident – netizens posted mocking commentaries regarding his dubious English pronunciation “not at all” in the song One World One Dream (check out our former post on this). Xiaoming laughs at himself in the ad this time “You are right. I don’t have excellent acting skill. Not at all. I am Vancl.”

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Genie, 20

Student, Rugao (Jiangsu Province)

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Chinese domestic sports brands are popping up in shopping malls across lower-tiered cities, giving foreign brands a run for their money. According to 2009 annual reports, LI NING is at the top of the Chinese market with a gross profit of 3.97 billion RMB (23% increase over 2008), followed by ANTA at 2.47 billion RMB (33% increase over 2008).

The sheer quantity of domestic-brand shops is even outnumbering foreign competitors in some cities. The shops – easily recognizable from their signature logos, slogans and colors – are usually grouped together in malls or shopping areas, providing consumers in medium and small cities an easily identifiable set browsing area for athletic wear. This merchandising technique seems to quite successful in promoting domestic brands.

The style of domestic brands such as ANTA and LI NING meets my demands with the moderate price. In addition, I can easily find these kinds of shops.

-          Tianqian, 21, female, Haian,Teacher.

We find a lot of domestic sports brands in the supermarkets. The picture above is Rugao RT-mart supermarket.

I buy domestic brands’ products more, the main brands LI NING and XTEP. Foreign brands are too expensive; we don’t have enough money. The domestic brands are appropriate for consumers just like us.

- Margeret, 20, female, Rudong, Teacher
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