"China's First Luxury Brand Battles to Shed Cultural Clichés" (China Economic Review)

“Since the mid-1990s, Shanghai Tang has been known for its apparel with a strikingly traditional Chinese influence. For the past several years, however, as it bids for attention of wealthy Chinese consumers who disdain dragons on their jackets, the brand is remaking its image with a far lighter Chinese touch. The change in ideology is not without its challenges.”

"H&M Adds Stores in Smaller Chinese Cities as Competition Rises" (Bloomberg)

“‘The whole country is definitely getting more competitive,’ Persson said, acknowledging new rivals and international retailers that are improving and expanding in the country. ‘We’ve tested second-tier cities and third-tier cities in China and found the concept is working well.’ The retailer will open more stores in China this year than in any other market, with between 80 and 90 new outlets planned.”

"Prada Shares Fall Sharply After China Luxury Warning" (BBC)

“Shares in luxury retailer Prada plunged more than 8% after the firm warned that sluggish sales in Europe and a maturing China luxury market could hurt profits. On Wednesday, Prada reported profits of 627.8 million euros ($864m; £519m) for the year ending on 31 January. It said same-store sales would rise at a ‘low single-digit’ pace in 2014.”

"House of Fraser Sold to China's Sanpower" (The Guardian)

“House of Fraser is the latest British company to fall into foreign hands after its owners struck a takeover deal with Chinese conglomerate Sanpower which values the 165-year-old department store chain at more than £450m. Sanpower, which is controlled by one of China's richest men, Yuan Yafei, owns China's oldest department store, Nanjing Xinjiekou.”

"Heiress Veronica Chou on her Beijing 'Courtyard House in the Sky'" (The Financial Times)

“With her glossy looks and candyfloss voice it might be easy to dismiss [Veronica] Chou as just another society girl. But as president of Iconix China, a Hong Kong-based company that launches US fashion brands into the Chinese market, she wields a wide-reaching sartorial influence in China.”