Economics
In China, Barbie's Reign May Be Short-Lived
Export manufacturers make a play for kids on the mainland
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Wanted: BFF; pretty in pink; not too trashy; lower-maintenance than Barbie. Must speak Chinese.
Meet Princess Secret, would-be playmate to the children of China’s growing consumer class, which increasingly demands better-quality toys at prices cheaper than foreign brands can offer. The doll’s manufacturer, China Focus (Yiwu), is among Chinese exporters seeking a slice of the domestic market. “Our products probably cost twice as much as those designed for the local market, but that’s not a problem because they’re still cheaper than imports,” said Maggie Zhang, a sales manager minding a stall packed with Princess Secret dolls and accessories at a trade fair held in the southern city of Guangzhou in October.