Kevin Wang's Blog

In the consumer market for jeans, the high-end spectrum typically makes up less than 10% of the entire demand. As the world has yet to recover from the global economic recession, many would expect the demand for high-end denim to remain low. However, Los Angeles based company True Religion has reported sales increase of 12% and profits 17% in the second quarter of 2009. Some of the company’s rivals such as Seven are struggling as it’s retailers can’t get credits to buy new merchandise. The economic hardships didn’t stop True Religion’s expanding footsteps and so far the bold decision have paid off.

True Religion’s denim is pricey, jeans range from two hundred to four hundred Canadian dollars. Yet, the company is able to attract consumers through its unique blend of rock and roll and spiritual imagery. The company logo is a smiling Buddha playing guitar and the thick stitched horseshoe are found no where else. Also, broadening its product line from jeans to shirts and outwear and accessories provides consumers with a wide range of selections. Nonetheless, expanding its own retail stores allows True Religion to stabilize it’s prices as the middle media of another retail store is eliminated.

 Sources: Chris Palmeri ©2010 Bloomberg L.P.

URL: :http://www.businessweek.com/managing/management_innovation/blog

/archives/2009/08/true_religions.html

With the passion of adding meaning and fun to designing came “Org,” a Korean company with endless persistence and dedication toward applying environmental friendly and corporate social responsible business practices. Established by 35 year old Korean entrepreneur Louis Kim, Org has established a well known reputation for its unique designs on a wide range of consumer products from memory sticks to hand bags. Interestingly enough, all products are made with environmental friendly components and Org workers are treated with a strong sense of fair working conditions and recognition. Already, the young company has signed multiple contracts with several TNCs’ in both green marketing and brand initiatives.

As the earth’s population is expected to soar over 9 billion by 2050, sustainable development is becoming a global wide initiative. Reducing pollution and seeking alternatives to have become the priority for many. Brands such as “Nivea” and “The Body Shop” have all succeeded in terms of revenue and brand positioning amongst consumers with the eco-friendly image. Aligning brand image with sustainable development eliminates the guilt consumers may experience when consuming products which may cause harm to the environment. Nevertheless, consumer preferences align with companies dedicated in preserving mother earth for the generations to come.

Sources: The Korean Herald

http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20101018000829

Ever had trouble pulling that decade old condom out of the wallet? Fear no more guys, with the newly launched stylish condom lines from oooBoutique, flashing out birth control have never been so confident!

The young company have already signed contracts with various artists in designing six beautiful boxes and packaging for three different condoms: exquisite ultra thin condoms (feel me), stimulating pleasure-shaped condoms (rock me), and sumptuous flavoured condoms (savor me). FDA approved and exceeding all international standards for quality and reliability, prices range from $1.99 (singles) to $24.95 (gift sets).

Despite the fact that oooBoutique isn’t the god behind the glorious invention of the rubbery goodness, it is the first in the industry to create artistic condom packaging from erotic to kung fu rock and roll. It is both magnificent and bold for a company to step out of the traditional boundaries and perception of condoms. Matching different preferences and taste with different artworks appealing to the young generation enlightens both the willingness and visual pleasure of safe sex. As sales grow steadily, teens and young adults are busy stacking up wardrobes and wallets with these colorful gizmos, while oooBoutique finds satisfaction amongst the greens.

Sources: News Blaze

http://newsblaze.com/story/2010090805074800002.bw/topstory.html

It is every parent’s happiest moment to see their children lost in imagination land playing with the latest gizmos from toy store shelves. However, over 9 million of these toy-starvation necessities have been recalled since 2003 due to lead paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed. Mattel Inc., the largest toy-maker in the US recalled over 9.3 million infant toys global wide because of possible lead-paint hazards for young children. According to the US government, at least one U.S. child has died and over 19 others have needed surgery after swallowing magnets used in these toys.

 With quality control and basic respects to business ethics, this embarrassment could’ve been easily prevented for the Chinese factories which manufactured these toys. It is unethical for these factories to use cheap quality paints and hazardous components. The actions of these factories demonstrates a poor understanding of business ethics as the central belief still remain as “quantity over quality.” Extra sickening since the target is young children. Quality, is the crucial factor that wins the hearts of consumers and in the long run, establishes trust . Continuous violation of ethical principles will only end up hindering the image of “made in China.”

Source:Consumer News on msnbc.com

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20254745/

Despite two days have passed since the launch of the iPhone 4 in Malaysia, the lines of desperate, gadget-geeks waiting to satisfy their hunger on the latest masterpiece from Apple seem endless. Since Thursday night, hundreds have been spending hours in line waiting for the the said to be “equipped with more features” upgrade from iPhone 3GS. Apart from FaceTime, the new features of the iPhone 4 includes the ability to record, playback and edit 720p high-definition videos along with an upgraded high-resolution screen. When interviewed, many adoring fans claimed the long hours were torture yet ultimately, “worth it.”

Over the past three years, Apple has established a stable market in the mobile phone industry. Despite not being the “first” to introduce full-touch screen products, Apple has created a unique image for the iPhone with sleek designs and a simple, user-friendly interface. Never the less, Apple’s huge, global wide success from the “Ipod,” enhances the marketing for the iPhone. The “greatest Ipod ever” motto present consumers with a dominating feeling of revolution as the favourite portable music player has armoured itself with everything one could expect from a touching-edge wireless product, the best invention since toilet paper.

Source: The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia)http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/6fone-2/Article/

After months of gruel waiting, Iphone 4 finally makes a homecoming to the country of it’s  production. Along with the highly anticipated 4^th generation of the all-round powerhouse, Apple will also be opening two new retail stores in Beijing and Shanghai, totalling the number of retail stores in China to four.  According to research, Chinese consumers are more than twice likely to purchase future Apple products.

Apple’s worldly renown reputation have enhanced their establishment in the China Mainland market. As the shopping habits of China’s newly emerging upper class draws it’s base on the “if you have it then so must I” attitude towards luxuries contributes to the Apple revenue in tripling from 2008 to 2009.

Reputation, quality and trust of consumers make up the basis of brand power. Apple’s sleek designs and user-friendly operating systems have established a dominating empire in both the music player and high-end computer markets. Despite battery issues with early Ipod products, improvements in the Itouch and Iphone have won the big thumbs of consumers world wide. It is Apple’s brand power which allows the corporate giant to charge premium for it’s products and still remain top in the industry.

Source: Mercury News http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16124202?nclick_check=1

 Despite overtaking Japan to become the world’s second largest economy, China still remains in the status of a developing country. Aside from the record-high GDP growth, the powerhouse of 1.3 billion have received many controversies regarding it’s business ethics. In the recent article “Chinese Rich Nervous of Charity’s Efforts” by Global Times, China’s upper class is in fear of attending a charity banquet hosted by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett as money may flow “unwillingly” out of their wallets due to the pressure of the two US billionaires.

 Pursuing on, the puppet masters of China’s “post-cultural revolution” era lacks business ethics as the nation is still in a state of blind materialism. Rather than having the economy function to strengthen the country as a whole, individual greed along with government manipulation has stretched the gap between the rich and the poor a metre too far.

 Never the less, the upper class is in fear of having their money taken away from them as many had taken unethical strategies on their route to success. Consumer satisfaction is no longer the goal as many of China’s well-known brands suffered quality crisis over the recent years after achieving initial success.

Sources: The Global Times http://opinion.globaltimes.cn/chinese-press/2010-09/570650.html