BIGresearch's Q2 China Survey: Consumer Confidence Is Up and So Are Spending Plans

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwire - July 25, 2007) - The Chinese economy is hot. Their stock market is up over 43% since March and young Chinese consumers are very confident about the economy, planning to spend more on all major categories according to BIGresearch's Q2 China Survey. The survey was conducted in June and 2,137 young Chinese consumers (18-34 years old) participated. There are over 380 million consumers in China between the ages of 18 and 34, representing a key consumer segment for luxury brands, electronics and other key consumables.

BIGresearch compared the responses of the young Chinese consumer (18-34) to their American counterparts (18-34) and some of the key differences are:

--  91.8% of Chinese consumers say they are confident/very confident in
    the economy over the next six months, almost doubling the percentage of
    young Americans (47.7%) who feel the same.
--  More young Chinese consumers plan on purchasing major big dollar items
    such as computers, furniture, home appliances, housing, jewelry, TV's,
    digital cameras and vacation travel than young Americans.
--  Familiar labels (name brands) are more important to young Chinese
    consumers, 71.8% say so versus 54.7% of young Americans.
--  Almost half (47.4%) of Chinese consumers say sales are not important
    when buying clothes and 18.5% of Americans say the same.
--  Young Chinese consumers, although fully entrenched in the digital
    world, are more influenced by traditional media when making electronic,
    clothing, auto and pharmaceutical purchases than young Americans.
--  Even though young Chinese consumers are more influenced by traditional
    media, they are more likely to surf the Internet, email, blog or instant
    message in their leisure time than young American consumers.
--  Young Chinese consumers are also more likely to research products
    online than young Americans. 54.4% of Chinese, compared to 49.8% of
    Americans, regularly research products online.
    

"The young Chinese are avid consumers, but they are not consuming western (U.S.) and eastern (Japan) products. They are unique. The popularity of Chinese products and brands are signs that U.S. corporations and U.S. advertising and marketing agencies are out of touch with the new Chinese consumer and will continue to be until they ask the right questions and listen," said Joe Pilotta, VP of Research for BIGresearch.

Additional information on BIGresearch's China Quarterly may be accessed at www.bigresearch.com/chinaq.htm.

About BIGresearch

BIGresearch is a market intelligence firm providing unique consumer insights through online surveys. The syndicated China Quarterly monitors the purchasing behavior and media consumption of more than 1,400 young adult Chinese consumers between 18-34 years old. The China Quarterly is available through BIGresearch in report or database format.

BIGresearch's methodology provides the most accurate consumer information in the industry with a margin of error of +/- 1 percent. Complimentary findings are available at www.bigresearch.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Phil Rist BIGresearch 450 West Wilson Bridge Road Suite 370 Worthington, Ohio 43085 (614) 846-0146