BEIJING, June 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and the British Chamber of Commerce in China, supported by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce, will host "The Best of British Retailing", a masterclass, forum and networking event for leading British retailers to meet key Chinese contacts and partners, on Friday 13 June at Zhuozhan Shopping Centre in Beijing, as part of The Great British Brands Festival 2014.
"The Best of British Retailing" is designed to inspire Chinese guests by showcasing leading British brands, describing the success stories behind the brands, and giving UK retailers the opportunity to speak to invite-only Chinese attendees in one-to-one meetings at the forum. The "festival-plus-forum" format aims to help more UK brands gain a foothold in China, as well as to open new channels for British companies that have already made ground in the market, by putting them in direct contact with important Chinese companies.
Mike Dethick, Executive Director, China of the China-Britain Business Council, said: "British brands are recognised globally for their quality, heritage and prestige, a fact which is well acknowledged by discerning Chinese consumers. 'The Best of British Retailing' is both a reflection of the reputation British brands already enjoy in China, and also a tremendous opportunity for leading UK companies to meet key Chinese retail-sector contacts, for each side to learn where the opportunities for expansion lie and to make strides together in China's hugely exciting consumer market."
Chinese retailers, agents, distributors, shopping-centre operators and retail service providers will attend "The Best of British Retailing" to learn about the latest developments from the best of Britain's brands; to discover what's hot on the British high street; to gain insight into the latest visual merchandising and digital trends from London; to network; and to understand the power and process of reinventing heritage brands, building lifestyle brands for loyal consumers, and putting the customer at the heart of their business.
The Great British Brands Festival, which is running for 10 days from 6-15 June 2014, attracted over RMB 1 million in sales for some 40 UK exhibitors during its first five days (excluding automotive exhibitors), exceeding the RMB 950,000 taken during the entire 10-day festival in 2013 on equivalent products.
"The Best of British Retailing" Masterclass, Forum & Networking
14:00-17:30, Friday 13 June
VIP Room, Dragon Restaurant, Floor 6, Charter Mall, 69 Fuxing Rd, West Beijing
Contact
Lisa Li
China-Britain Business Council / British Chamber of Commerce in China
T: +86 10 8525 1111
E: lisa.li@cbbc.org.cn
Background
The Great British Brands Festival
The Great British Brands Festival is hosted by the China-Britain Business Council and the British Chamber of Commerce in China with the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce and the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce, supported by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). It is designed to showcase some of Britain's leading names in sectors including fashion, food and drink, homeware, children's products and automotive. Over 40 successful British companies, large and small, including a host of international household names, are exhibiting and selling their goods to Chinese consumers at the festival. It provides a unique opportunity for British retail brands to do business and promote themselves in a prime central spot in northern China's largest shopping centre. This year's festival is the second annual edition in Beijing; an inaugural festival in Chengdu is planned for August 2014.
CBBC China Consumer Programme
The Great British Brands Festival is an integral event in CBBC's China Consumer Programme, part of a dedicated two-year retail campaign hosted by CBBC and UKTI, which aims to help British companies understand Chinese consumer behaviour, learn how to engage successfully with Chinese consumers at home and abroad, and raise awareness of their brands among their target groups in China. Opportunities are provided for British companies to meet specific Chinese consumer groups, for example at exclusive CBBC matchmaking events.
China-Britain Business Council
The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) is the leading organisation helping UK companies grow and develop their business with China. We help companies of all sizes and sectors, whether new entrants or established operations. CBBC has worked with China for 60 years and our team has extensive experience of doing business there. We offer practical in-market assistance, services, industry initiatives and a membership programme delivering access, seminars and networking through our network of 13 offices in China and 10 in the UK.
British Chamber of Commerce in China
The British Chamber of Commerce in China (BritCham) is a membership organisation for British business focused on boosting UK-China trade and investment. We operate as an independent, not-for-profit organisation with a strong and diverse membership. With over two decades' worth of business experience in China, we provide intelligence, advice, and networking opportunities for our members, helping their business grow in one of the world's fastest-growing markets. In 2009 we entered a strategic partnership with the China-Britain Business Council which provides members of the Chamber with reciprocal membership of CBBC, giving them an even stronger network and increased business support.