How Western Brands Get Shanghaied on China's Shanzhai Express

With a couple of prominent, headline-grabbing cases in the last few weeks, "shanzhai" is getting a little global attention.

That's "Shanzai," not "Shanghai" — though brands may feel Shanghaied by the practice, brought to light by the spate of fake Apple stores and the Ikea-like "11th Furniture" store in Kunming, along with other examples.

It's both a threat to well-known, international  brands, as well as — just maybe — their savior.Continue reading...