A Study of Cultural Barriers in Establishing Brand Names in China
The interest on cross-cultural marketing is becoming increasingly important due to global trade, with a growing focus on the Chinese market. The purpose of the study was to report the problems and issues encountered by a large Australian beer company trying to sell a product in China. The study examines brand establishment, loyalty and longevity in a different cultural setting. It also identifies marketing differences between the Australian and Chinese cultures. Identifying some of these trends may assist other multinational companies to establish and sustain products in a foreign market, particularly in China.
Foster is the largest beverage multinational company in Australia. It is also one of Australia’s largest companies to invest in China. As a beer manufacturer, Foster has much competition in a market that is directed by customer preference. For that reason, it is important for a company to focus on the customer’s preference to sustain success in a foreign market. It is suggested by the authors to investigate key cultural values in order to understand culturally different consumers.
It is proven that a well-developed marketing strategy plays an important role in the company’s success. It is important to understand the central values of Chinese cultures in order to satisfy their needs as customers. A major issue for a researcher is to understand the consumer’s integrated role in the family. In the past, Chinese tradition was such that children purchased alcoholic beverages for visiting parents. The effort was to buy traditional Chinese brands that their parents were familiar. Modern traditions are changing in that the parents are buying drinks that their children prefer in o ...