Chinas Increasing Role and Influence on the US and Worlds Luxury Markets

With Chinas now 240 million online shoppers and growing there"s an unparalleled opportunity for US luxury brands to market their high end items. In 2012 China became the worlds largest consumer of luxury items. 

With the governments approval of the growth of its ecosystem it is estimated in the next few years its ecommerce will grow at the double digit rate and become the biggest total luxury market by 2015. It is expected to account for 20% or 27 billion dollars of global luxury sales by 2015. 

Despite ongoing concerns over quality and authenticity the ability to compare prices and larger selections of luxury items the Chinese are still motivated to shop online. There still remains a huge unmet demand from inner cities for these luxury items. Some European and Western countries are beginning to to make a crossroads into larger cities like Shanghai and Beijing where people are beginning to see wage and wealth levels that are fueling the desire for luxury items. 

Beijing

Just last month Beijing hosted the 2nd Luxury China Expo at the Chinas International Exhibition Centre Exhibitors of high end luxury items and services from 12 countries including the US and companies from 11 Malaysian brands were on hand to exhibit their brands. It is extremely important for Malaysian companies to showcase their products and services to the growing Chinese market now to take full advantage of this enormous growth. Luxury products and services that were on hand include jewelry,the arts,antique and high end apparrel and coffee and gold dealers. Chinas gold consumption has surged more than 30% recently and certain groups feel China is going to be a tremendous market for their business.

Chinas International Exhibition Centre

Saving- the Pan Am- World port -at JFK

The iconic building Terminal 3 with the "flying Saucer roof" at JFK airport once known as The Worldport to those who can remember when the Pan Am airlines was the leading airline at JFK in flites from and to JFK is near the end of its historic run.
The idea and first design of the great building was drawn up in 1957 when Idlewild airport was undergoing a transformation from a small airport to the major international airport it is today. Laguardia airport could no longer handle the demands of the burgeoning development of air travel and the need for expansion. Developers than turned to the vacant lands on the South Shore of Long Island and Idlewild airport. Pan Am in its quest to increase their status as a premiere international airline carrier decided to build their new terminal on the 16 acres they were allotted and be one of the leading airlines at JFK along with what is now the saved TWA Flight Center. The first version was finally opened in 1960

The original Pan Am building under construction

Renamed the Worldport in 1971 after undergoing expansion to accommodate the new luxury jet the 747it was now the largest airline terminal in the world and kept that designation for many years.

Thru its years it has been featured in many films most notably the James Bond movie Live and Let Die. It also served as the backdrop for the Beatles departure from New York after their successful introduction to the people of New York and their historic live TV appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

After Pan Am declared bankruptcy in 1991 it was taken over by Delta Airlines till its closure last May 23 after the last flite to depart from the terminal was to Tel Aviv,Israel. Delta is in the process of moving their international flites to the newly expanded terminal 4 and to use the Worldport space  for additional parking of planes. A sorry end to what once represented the future of airline travel.

As it was used by delta Airlines

The world port was eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic places in 1988 but was never designated. it also was recently on the list 11 of the  most endangered places in the US.

There are many organizations trying to save the world port as was done with the TWA flight Center which is under review for future plans ,one of which might be a Boutque Hotel. 

Save the Worldport is the leading org. trying to spearhead the saving of this great building you can like their facebook page at Saveworldport and twitter@SaveWorldport

Now that the long 4th of July extended holiday has wound down and Summer is just settling in we thought you might yearn for that holiday feel and some more fireworks. In our last post we put together a list of some top cities and the best viewing places. Just in case you missed or have not had enough of those fantastic celebrations and displays here are some photos and videos of fireworks from Boston to KeyWest to finishing off in the great city of SanFrancisco.

On the Long Island Gold Coast

Her are links to what we feel were some tremendous fireworks displays throughout the USA on the 4th.

boston

new yorks macys

http://www.youtube.comhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3wNSEL6xNM
http://dc.about.com/od/cherryblossomfestival/a/Southwest-Waterfront-Fireworks-Festival-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.htmwatch?v=G3wNSEL6xNM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/04/capitol-fourth-2013_n_3548534.htmlhttp://bit.ly/184tDHp

http://dc.about.com/od/cherryblossomfestival/a/Southwest-Waterfront-Fireworks-Festival-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/04/capitol-fourth-2013_n_3548534.htmlhttp://bit.ly/184tDHp

Us Gold Coasts Bang Up Fourth of July Festivities

For most families in the US it seems as if many families spend their 4th as their parents and grandparents did before them whether it be family BBQ"S heading off to a day at the beach or any other traditional 4th of July activity,usually spending the day together. If in the mood to start new traditions and exploring new ways to spend the 4th we have put together a few Bang Up Ideas that have stood the test of time from different cities and areas around the good old USA.
Of course starting with what is probably the most famous fireworks display in the world,New Yorks annual Macys fireworks show over the Hudson River and lower Manhattan again this year starting at 9:00 pm.

If in San Francisco enjoy live music and entertainment starting at Noon and continuing up until the fireworks display overlooking the Bay at 9:30 pm at Pier 39. They will launch from the Municipal Pier and from barges north of the pier. Aquatic Park offers some of the best views but all along the waterfront offers views including The Cannery, Ghirardelli Square and Coit Tower.

Heading to The beautiful and historic city of Charleston,check out the South Carolina Aquarium. Enjoy a Southern BBQ and a 4-D theater movie and than enjoy fireworks over Charleston Harbor with Fort Sumter in the background .

Going to be in the nations capital, Washinton D.C. for the 4th? Pennsylvania Ave has the tallest buildings for viewing in the downtown area.The W hotel at 1700 Pennsylvania Ave is known for their rooftop viewing parties. If you have friends on Mas Ave you might want to pay them a visit as many of those residences afford great views.  The popular and luxurious Hay-Adams Hotelat 800 16th  St NW offers a dinner and fireworks package if you have a room reservation. Goo luck on this one though. How gorgeous is seeing our nations capital and all of its monuments lit up under a magnificent fireworks display. We are getting goosebumps already.

Heading further South to the exciting city of Miami and South Beach their display over the Bay Front Park is breathtaking. The Sea Fair a beautiful yacht docked at the Bayfront is offering reservations for a private table on the deck with dinner and drinks while watching the fireworks. Sounds like a tremendous evening!

Heading even further South to the Keys, Big Pine and the lower Keys have their display at Big Pine Park. One of the largest displays in the Keys is set for Sombrero Beach in Marathon Key, a family beach and boating tradition. 

Fireworks in Key West ,sponsored by Key West Rotary Club can be seen from many of the local hotels and hot spots in town with the display being launched from the White Street Pier.

No matter what the 4th is a great time to continue traditions ,maybe create some new ones but too always appreciate the birth of this great nation.