What market should you enter first for your product or service?  Hong Kong or China?  Well, take a look at the following products/stores below to see where they started out:

Apple’s iPhone 3GS
Hong Kong Launch – July ’09
China Launch – Nov ’09

Zara
Hong Kong Launch – May ’04
China Launch – Jan ’08

Coke Zero
Hong Kong Launch – March ’07
China Launch – February ’08

Godiva Chocolate
Hong Kong Launch – 1998
China Launch – September ’09

These examples all point to a Hong Kong release and then a later entrance into China.  And even though China has the large population, it might be a good idea to enter Hong Kong first.

Hong Kong has huge cachet within China as a fashion center.  A product released and successful in Hong Kong will give the product a huge boost in the mainland market.  It’s like the cool kid in school getting the newest sneakers.

Hong Kong is also an easier country to enter at this point of time.  By connecting with a Hong Kong partner, you can not only sell your product in Hong Kong but also have a partner who knows the larger Chinese market.

According to Deloitte in Hong Kong, China is expected to have the following levels of growth in the consumer expenditure during the next 4 years:

2009 – 7.8%
2010 – 11.3%
2011 – 13.6%
2012 – 15%
2013 – 16.1%

Now would be a good time to enter Hong Kong to begin to prepare your way for the rapidly expanding Chinese market.

 

 Hong Kong or China First? [2:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download