Chinese consumers opting for local brands

Marzo 28, 2008

Chinese consumers prefer local brands to foreign ones, with domestic products the top choice in 39 of 57 categories, or 68 percent, in a recent survey.

The "2008 Ideal Brands for Chinese Consumers"survey was conducted by the Business Brand Institute, International Advertising magazine and the Communication University of China.

Two urban groups - household and potential consumers - were questioned for the survey, with 7,800 respondents nationwide.

Household consumers have the most purchasing power and brand experience and are more sensitive to quality, reputation, service and price. Responses from this group accurately reflected brands' current standing in the market, the survey said.

Senior university students formed the potential consumers group, which is in a transition period and has high brand awareness.

This group is expected to become key purchasers when they graduate and enter the workforce. Respondents from this group provided a forecast for brand trends, the survey said.

Local brands dominated the household appliance, clothing, edible oil, non-soda beverage, pharmaceuticals, banking and insurance sectors.

But respondents preferred foreign brands for digital cameras, mobile phones, sportswear, snack foods, soda drinks, cars and personal care products.