# Group 44 ## brands Louis Vuitton, Swarovski, Skoda, Dior, Chanel, AMD, Intel, Apple, Samsung ## Chinese combine European and U.S. breaks with spending trips Recently, Asian brands, like fine jewellery brand Qeelin, have started to appear in U.S. shops. This unusual move is a sign of the ambitions of Asian luxury companies. Previously, the global luxury industry moved only in one direction: from west to east. Then European and U.S. brands bought up prime retail sites in Asian megacities as a new generation of Asian customers were attracted to owning products made by companies that were more than a century old. In recent years, however, Chinese customers have started to combine holidays abroad with shopping expeditions, and Chinese brands have begun to follow the money. Luxury research institute Hurun reports that France – home to labels such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton – has emerged as the top holiday destination for wealthy Chinese millennials. Other popular destinations include London, San Francisco and New York, as well as Japan and South Korea. The fine jewellery sector is leading this global expansion. Chow Tai Fook, the biggest jeweller in the world, says Chinese outbound tourism was behind its expansion into Southeast Asian countries, such as South Korea and Taiwan. Over 2,000 of its stores are in mainland China, but those overseas are increasingly important. While the group prefers to run large-scale advertising and marketing campaigns to deliver a consistent brand image, there are regional adaptations. Earlier this year, for example, members of Taiwanese boyband SpeXial were asked to help publicise a store opening in Taiwan. Some Asian brands are expanding after being bought by larger groups. Recent examples include Qeelin and Shang Xia, a luxury label now operated by French luxury group Hermès. Qeelin began selling its products in the USA, a strong market when it comes to luxury, partly to meet demand from the local Chinese community. Building a brand overseas takes time. This is particularly true when it comes to establishing iconic designs that are as recognisable around the world as a Chanel handbag. You don't build luxury brands overnight. ## 6 Minute English https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english ## Connectors are words or phrases that signal to the reader or listener how things relate to one another in a text or speech, and help to support understanding. They can also be used to manage and direct the focus of the reader or listener. There are different categories of connectors depending on the role they perform in the sentence. For example: adding ideas, e.g. and, also, as well as, in addition. As well as discussing the in-store customer experience, we also need to look at brand awareness if we want to improve sales figures. In addition, we feel that our stores should use new technologies to attract customers. contrasting ideas, e.g. although, but, however, while. Initial response to our new product range has been positive. However, there is still a lot of work to do to reach our target. (Note: we use a comma after However.) I think she's a great brand ambassador, although I don't like her music very much. (Note: we use a comma before although.) Certain luxury brands are popular in some countries, while different brands are popular in other markets. referring to time, e.g. earlier (this year), in recent years, now, previously, recently, when. In recent years, Chinese customers have started to combine holidays abroad with shopping expeditions. giving examples, e.g. for example, for instance, such as. There are many successful global luxury brands, such as Bulgari, Chanel and Hermès. Our stores use new technologies, for instance, we have created an app that lets the assistant know when a loyal customer enters the store. sequencing, e.g. first of all, then, to start with. If you'd like to go into marketing, first of all, you should feel passionately about brands. The success of our brand is due to two factors. To start with, we have a well-designed, great product. Then we have the support of many, many loyal customers. ## Mind your language https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075537/?ref_=tt_mv_close https://youtu.be/JtKqaQZ2gaQ?si=DqseanRtq4a-SfxL ## Homework, 11 Dec Write short dialogues based on these prompts: 1. I haven't taken any time off work in the last six months. 2. I'm worried that I might fail my driving test. 3. I don't know how to use Excel very well. 4. I really have too much to do at work. ## Verbs + -ing vs. infinitive When a verb is followed by another verb, the first verb dictates the form the second verb takes. There are various possibilities: verbs which take to + infinitive afford, agree, arrange, attempt, claim, decide, demand, deserve, expect, fail, guarantee, hesitate, hope, learn, manage, offer, plan, prepare, promise, refuse, seem, tend, would like They have decided to sponsor the exhibition. We'd like to invite you to our offices in Delhi to meet the team. verbs which take -ing avoid, consider, delay, deny, dislike, enjoy, finish, involve, justify, miss, postpone, practise, risk, suggest He denied writing the email to the boss. They postponed launching the new product for six months. verbs + preposition which take -ing apologise for, insist on, look forward to, put off, succeed in He apologised for arriving at the meeting late. We look forward to seeing you soon. verbs which take to + infinitive or -ing with a change in meaning forget, go on, remember, stop, try I remember discussing modern art with you last month. (Here remember refers to a past action, something the person knows happened.) Please remember to bring this invitation with you. (Here remember refers to a future action, something the person needs to do.) She tried to write an email to apologise, but she couldn't find the words. (Here tried refers to something the person wanted to do, but wasn't able to.) She tried writing an email to apologise, but he still isn't talking to her. (Here tried refers to something the person did, but which didn't work as planned.) verbs which take to + infinitive or -ing with little or no change in meaning begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, start They began arguing / to argue the moment the meeting started. ## Invitation Dear Mr Vesely, I remember discussing modern art with you last month and, as a valued customer, I'd like to invite you to a preview of the new Street Art Exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art which C&P Marketing have decided to sponsor. Our preview event will be held on Tuesday 22nd November at 7.30 p.m. on the top floor of the NGMA. Drinks and refreshments will be provided. In addition, we are delighted to announce that the artist Karla Lansing has agreed to talk to us about the impact of street art in marketing today. Ms Lansing has collaborated with our team on several marketing campaigns to be launched in the new year. Please confirm your attendance by Friday 11th November and, if you are able to join us, please remember to bring this invitation with you to gain admittance to the venue. We look forward to seeing you at this event. Kind regards, Kiran Kaur Pannu Events Manger, C&P Marketing ## Reply Dear Ms Pannu, Thank you for inviting me to the preview. I would have loved to come but, unfortunately, I have already made other arrangements and will not be available that day as I am away on business. However, the event sounds extremely interesting and my colleague, Marisa Shields, has expressed an interest in attending. I was wondering if it would be possible to add her name to the guest list. I hope the preview evening is successful. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Kind regards, Ted Vesely ### Task Write your own formal reply of about 100 words accepting the invitation. ## Optional presentation - Decide which technique to use at the beginning. - Structure the presentation clearly into two or three sections. - Link the sections as you speak. - Highlight important information in each section. - Invite questions at the end. Possible presentation topics: - your job - your organisation - a product you love/hate - a place you visited - a hobby - your own idea ## Crowdfunding Ben Fischer's Theatre Company Following our sell-out world tour the actors and crew are now back in our Berlin studios preparing for next year's season. We plan to produce a contemporary version of the musical The Threepenny Opera, first performed in 1928. This is your chance to back our latest venture. We also welcome your feedback on the development of the play. Alison's Tees Exciting news! We wanted you, our backers, to be the first to know that we're expanding into a brand new range of bags for work and leisure. Our design team have come up with some beautiful concepts and you still get to choose your own style, colour and design. To find out more listen to founder Alison Chadwick on Doable. Holidapp By popular demand, we're adding high-quality videos to our travel guide app. Now you will be able to see our expert guides as they share their knowledge of their towns and cities with you. You also view the locations they take you to and have close-up images of major buildings and artwork if you want. Help Holidapp to become even better!