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Post by alexis on May 5, 2005 13:33:16 GMT 7
I am thinking of opening an European deli in Ningbo. Going on the theory that when they finish the bridge to Shanghai Ningbo will have even more foreigners. I wanted to get opinions on some things. I promise to give you a discount for your help. I am thinking of selling a few imported wines, beers, cheeses, sausages, salami. I would have a small menu where I could make some nice sandwiches, macoroni salads, olives, etc. Maybe have a nice espresso on the menu, etc. Something very small where only my family and I could handle it. I have a chinese partner and the ability to get a loan but wanted to ask you guys what you would like to see in a place like this. Thanks for your help, Alexis
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Post by Dr. Gonzo on May 5, 2005 14:24:13 GMT 7
Were I in Ningbo I'd be a customer.
I'm not sure how you go about doing market research when expats are your target. Location would need to be carefully consiered. The City Supermarket outlets in Shanghai, which run this kind of operation successfully as it seems, are both downtown where the business type expats congregate anyway.
I know Ningbo is on the march economically. Maybe a survey of expats with kids at the city's international school would be a start. Breakfast cereals are something the Chinese don't do; they all seem to be imported. But in some areas you'd be competing with major supermarket chains who may already supply them.
I think it could work!
good luck.
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Juggler
Barfly
If you work for a living then why do you kill yourself working?
Posts: 90
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Post by Juggler on May 5, 2005 17:14:52 GMT 7
 makes me hungry. 
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woza17
SuperDuperBarfly! 
Posts: 2,203
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Post by woza17 on May 6, 2005 11:47:18 GMT 7
It's interesting what local ingredients you can get in different parts of China e.g tomato paste I could get in a small town in Hybei 3 kwai for a 4oz can and her in Dalian the same. I can buy local tahini here.
I am an amazing chef. the things that really worked for my Chinese friends was quiche, coriander pesto fish n' chips and I made my own tartare sauce, red lentil soup with tofu and so on. Antipasto dishes marinated mushrooms, eggplant red peppers and so on. Potato salad always a winner and Waldorf. Juices are big and I think if you market the health aspect of each juice.
As a business I don't know. I think you have to have a strong Chinese market to make money.
if you need any recipes that I have adapted to local ingredients just ask .
Cheers Carol
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Post by alexis on May 6, 2005 12:35:33 GMT 7
I would some of your ideas. I was basically going to try to appeal to the foreign market here in Ningbo.
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Post by con's fly is open on May 24, 2005 11:51:07 GMT 7
I would some of your ideas. I was basically going to try to appeal to the foreign market here in Ningbo. ..which, in turn, would guarantee a Chinese following. I'm not knockin 'em- they're probably bored with China the way I'm bored with Canada. Alexis, getting off the teaching and into business is something I want to do, gradually. Good on you! You'll need a Chinese partner, someone trustworthy yet savvy, but it's doable. As you research this, I and probably all of us would appreciate a thread on the subject.  |
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