(P) foreign media said that with the growing middle class group in China, foreign investors and local retail groups began to set up discount shopping centers in China so that people in mainland China could buy discounted luxury goods nearby and preferably bring them exotic shopping experience. < /p >
Scott Malkin, chairman of Value Retail, the European luxury discount chain operator, said that his goal is to create authentic European shopping experience in Suzhou, including shopping villages with Italian style and traditional Chinese design elements at the same time. P < /p >
< p > Value Retail shopping village in Suzhou is part of a government supported Holiday Village Project (which also includes several high-end hotels). It is expected to open in early 2014. < /p >
< p > reported that the goal of Value Retail is to occupy a place in the high-end discount shopping market. At present, China's discount shopping market is developing rapidly, but this market has also attracted a large number of low-end followers. These followers are full of low-end and even cottage brands. < /p >
< p > Suzhou shopping village will provide various brands in Value Retail discount shopping center, such as Prada, Gucci, Dior, Nike, Adidas and Puma. Shopping villages will also provide services that are usually provided by luxury stores in Europe, such as "empty handed" shopping services (delivered to their planes or trains after customers end their shopping day), as well as high-end restaurants (instead of fast food restaurants). < /p >
< p > retail analysts pointed out that ironically, the slowdown in China's economy and the government's efforts to crack down on corruption have already hit the sale of luxury goods, but it may further promote the development of discount shopping centers. < /p >
"The government's advocacy of thrift campaigns is likely to lead to an increase in the number of luxury brands in China," said David Ng, general manager of P, a newly opened MIG shopping mall. "Discount shopping centers are one of the few options for these brands to deal with backlog stocks." < /p >
< p > reported that in China's retail business atlas, foreign business models have been lost everywhere in China, ranging from best buy, Wan de Cheng, home to treasure and Bobbi flagship store. < /p >
< p > besides, there are many examples of imitation of European architectural style in China, such as Thames Town around Shanghai and Interlaken town in southern China. But they were not very successful. < /p >
< p > Malkin said that Value Retail will not make the same mistake. "We will build a building in Suzhou that calls for the right scenery. We will not copy the style of Italy Tuscany to China. We have operated in 10 countries, and we have not failed. " < /p >
In the face of China's most populous market in the world, P is not the first foreign retailer to express lofty aspirations. < /p >