How the Chinese see it

November 11, 2008

It’s interesting to read how the Chinese press sees the current economic situation for toys as compared to how we see it. There is an interesting piece in the October 31, 2008 edition of China Daily entitled “Guangdong’s toy export industry stable amid global recession.”

The article is, as the title implies, positive on the outlook for Chinese toy exports. The opening paragraphs tell us: “The toy exports in …Guangdong province…a global key toy making base, have shown signs of recovery and are expected to remain stable….The toy industry still has its international market despite the adverse market environment…”

Then it gets interesting. The article states: “As entertainment goods, toys are most vulnerable to [sic] financial crisis.”

That is, of course, 180 degrees from the prevailing wisdom that toys are historically recession proof or recession resistant. In that the Chinese news media tends to reflect official government positions, this statement, is noteworthy. Why, because despite the articles positive outlook, the Chinese government is obviously more worried than we are about the toy sector during the economic downturn.

Losing half your toy factories in one year will do that to you.

Posted by Richard Gottlieb on November 11, 2008 | Comments (6)

November 26, 2011

In response to: How the Chinese see it
India commented:

Son of a gun, this is so hlepufl!

October 17, 2011

In response to: How the Chinese see it
Mahalia commented:

Thank God! Soomene with brains speaks!

December 1, 2008

In response to: How the Chinese see it
Vinny C. commented:

It's interesting that I've forgotten the whole toy recall fiasco that happened with Chinese made toys until I just read this blog entry and it came to mind. I guess it seems like a lifetime ago. The toy industry probably is more recession resistant because adults try not to disappoint children. Though, I wonder if toys based on licensed characters might suffer. If economic conditions cause people to cut back on going to the movies or buying video games, then it might follow that toys based on those intellectual property might suffer as well. (I know video games are kinda toys too, but I meant like physical toys like action figures and vehicles and things of that nature)

November 12, 2008

In response to: How the Chinese see it
Richard commented:

Dear Aaron, Email me at richard@usatoyexperts.com and I will email you another subscription feed.

November 12, 2008

In response to: How the Chinese see it
Richard commented:

Thank you Aaron. I will ask someone to look into that. Richard

November 12, 2008

In response to: How the Chinese see it
Aaron W Uribe commented:

The blog subscription feed is not set up correctly. I have tried to subscribe, but I end up getting the Zibb.com: Yahoo! Industry Feed, which is way more info than I want. Thank you.