Chinese retailers and wholesalers plan to increase buying of imported products due to a strong demand among buyers, according to a survey by the Chinese commerce ministry. Some 9.7 per cent of the 945 retailers and wholesalers said they would increase their product imports next year, 2.5 percentage points higher than those planning to reduce their purchases. Of 1,059 consumers surveyed, 24.1 per cent planned more purchases of imported products, because of a strong demand for food, maternal and infant products, cosmetics, watches and glasses, jewellery and passenger vehicles. Nearly 80 per cent of the consumer respondents said they had bought imported consumer products at least once. According to 41.7 per cent of them, such purchases accounted for more than 10 per cent of their buying in a particular product category.
A product’s brand name and reputation was the top consideration when retailers and wholesalers imported consumer products, while safety also mattered in food and maternal and infant products, while design was important in apparel and jewellery choices, a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper reported citing the survey. The survey is part of the ministry’s efforts to help prepare for the second China International Import Expo, which will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10 this year.
