By Jane Williams, Editor, Knowledge Arabia

Tradition, culture, craftsmanship all contribute to the brand you buy. But how much more are you willing to pay for that label?

One German confectioner is saying “Bah, humbug!” to the Christmas cookie business, weary of high sugar prices, low profit margins, and tough sales competition.

  • When Reinold Geiger put his money into L'Occitane en Provence, he thought he’d be a hands-off investor. Looking back he realises it takes a tough man to build a successful skin care company.

  • The 2012 Summer Games cost £9 billion. What kind of stimulus will that bring to the U.K. economy? And what will remain after the medals have been awarded and the cheering stops?

  • Chinese consumers are hungry for foreign brands but for Apple products, in particular, the demand is insatiable. What explains China’s love affair with Apple?

  • Retailers have looked at the Chinese consumer as the saviour of economic growth. But as recession hovers on the horizon, will these consumers be putting away their pocketbooks?