Session on how to sell in China through Taobao

From http://agenda.acc10.cat/agenda/default.php?id=9226 (in Catalan)

On June 12th, 2013 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, CECOT is organizing a 2-hour informative session in their headquarters in Terrassa (Barcelona province) on how to sell in China through Taobao (淘宝网), a Chinese web site for on-line shopping that belongs to the Alibaba Group (阿里巴巴集团). Taobao provides a platform for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs to open on-line retail stores that mainly cater to consumers in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The session will be conducted by Josep Ramon Obis, fashion expert that has been managing a shop in Taobao for the last two years.

 

Tous expects to return to China and outnumber 450 stores by 2013

From http://www.flytobarcelona.org/?p=7460 (in English)

Rosa Tous announced that the return of Catalan jewellery Tous to China could take place this year. Three years ago, the company closed all stores in China had after breaking the contract with their local partner. Since then, the Manresa-based company has been looking for another group to return to the Asian giant. “We must be very careful in choosing our partner, but when we find it, we will come into the market in China with force,” she said. Tous jewellery chain is accelerating its international expansion and plans to open 40 stores in 2013, compared to the 30 jewellery stores it opened last year. The director of corporate relations for the company said yesterday that the openings will focus on markets where the chain already has a presence, with the aim of consolidating the brand.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Tous jewellery shop in L'Illa shopping mall in Barcelona (image from Tous Wikipedia entry)[/caption]

Industrias Químicas del Vallés to open subsidiaries in China and the United States

From http://www.flytobarcelona.org/?p=7358 (in English)

Catalan company Industrias Químicas del Vallés (IQV) announced the launch of two new subsidiaries in Valdosta, Georgia (United States) and Beijing (China) to augment its organizational structure abroad and continue increasing exports. These new subsidiaries will strengthen its presence in two of the world's main markets for phytosanitary products, doubling exports to those countries and reinforcing the company's commitment to international expansion. Based in Mollet del Vallès (Barcelona province), Industrias Químicas del Vallés already exports more than 50% of its production. Industrias Químicas del Vallés is investing in the United States and China in order to obtain the necessary authorization to market other products from its catalogue. These new openings are in addition to the subsidiaries the company already has in Spain, Italy and Portugal; local partnerships in Greece; and the 55 countries where Industrias Químicas del Vallés markets its products.

Prices stagnate in Catalonia over July 2012

From http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/business/prices-catalonia-stagnate-july-increase-26-compared-year-ago (in English)

Prices in Catalonia stagnated (no variation) over the month of July compared to the previous month. Compared to July 2011, they increased by 2.6%, whereas the last 12-month comparison (June 2011 to 2012) showed an increase by 2.2%. This annual inflation rate registered in Catalonia in July was the highest this year, despite the heavy recession environment. For the Catalan provinces, the prices in Barcelona also stagnated, with a 12-month increase of 2.6%; in Girona they increased by 0.2%, with a 12-month increase of 2.3%; in Tarragona prices increased by 0.5%, with a 12-month increase of 2.5%; and in Lleida they decreased by 0.1%, with a 12-month increase of 2.8%. For the whole of Spain, the annual inflation rate at the end of July was 2.2%.