China and the Scottish Kilt

Monday 10th of November 2008 09:56:30 PM

China and the Scottish Kilt

The Scottish company Kinloch Anderson will be opening a shop in China by the end of 2008. The Scottish firm has been in existence since 1868 and is considered an icon in Scotland. The company is managed by family members and sees China as a potential source of new business.

In Scotland, exports to China equate to 1.7% of the total export figures. There is a current initiative called "China Now in Scotland" that is discussing the Far East business opportunities. The Kinloch Anderson firm is participating in one of the panel discussions being held at the University of Glasgow. Another country being targeted is India. Both China and India are seen as emerging economies because of the great many opportunities that still exist for retailers outside these countries.

The iconic Scottish kilts and t-shirts are almost like uniforms in the sense the outfit is unique and easily recognizable. The new flagship store in China will sell menswear initially and eventually add other products over time.

The Executive Chairman of Kinloch Anderson is Douglas Kinloch Anderson. He was quoted as saying, "We already have 300 shops under our brand name in the Far East, including Japan and Korea. Around 18 months we signed up with a joint venture partner in China to enter that market. We launched our lifestyle brand, with an emphasis on Scotland at a fashion show in Beijing earlier this year. We're now looking at all of China's major cities, including Shanghai."

The consumer market in China is currently growing at 13% as averaged over the last 5 years. The sheer size of China makes it a good marketing target, and Kinloch Anderson plans on selling in both major cities and the growing outer urban areas. The company advises other businesses hoping to expand into the China market to first find a logical partner to work with and then strategically plan for long term growth.

(c ) Image by Adrian van Leen, www.sxc.hu/