The Rise of the Chinese Consumer (PDF)

In this book Jonathan Garner and his colleagues at Credit Suisse
First Boston, argue that by 2014 the Chinese consumer will likely
have displaced the US consumer as the engine of growth in the
global economy. Government policy is rebalancing demand within the
Chinese economy from investment spending to consumption spending.
Strong trend economic growth over the cycle, a rise in the
consumption to GDP ratio and steady exchange rate appreciation will
likely generate an 18% compound annual growth rate in the US dollar
value of Chinese consumption spending over the next ten years and
lead to a quadrupling in China's share of global consumption
spending.

In order to identify the companies and brands which are best placed
to succeed in China's rapidly developing mass consumer market,
Garner and his colleagues discuss the results of the first
comprehensive survey of consumer attitudes and preferences to have
been conducted in China, covering 2,700 persons in eight major
Chinese cities. This survey provides valuable data for the business
executive or academic seeking detailed local information on sectors
including automobiles, beverages, electronic goods, financial
services, food producers, food retail, food services, household
& personal care, luxury goods, telecommunication equipment,
tobacco, and transport and leisure travel.

"China is likely to be the single most important influence on the
fortunes of investors and corporates alike over the next five
years, and yet little is known of what motivates and drives the
Chinese consumer. By canvassing the people that matter and reflect
the changing face of this massive country, Jonathan Garner has
provided investors with a unique insight."

Philip Ehrmann, Head of Pacific & Emerging Markets, Gartmore
Investment Management Plc.