#Bvlgari's CEO has said that the Chinese market is more important than the local one #
Bulgari Apologizes for Listing Taiwan as a Country
11 July 2023
The luxury brand Bulgari has found itself at the center of controversy in China, after netizens pointed out that its official website listed Taiwan as a country. On July 11th, Bulgari issued an apology statement addressing the issue. The Chinese market is currently Bulgari's largest regional market globally, making it a matter of concern for the brand.
The statement mentioned "management negligence" and "mislabelling of the logo," but these explanations were deemed unconvincing by many. Critics have questioned whether the apology was truly exclusive to mainland China or if Bulgari would make any real efforts to rectify the issue from its roots.
In response, some users demanded that Bulgari post an apology on their extranet, threatening to cancel co-branded collaborations and terminate contracts with endorsed celebrities if no action was taken. One user even brought up a previous incident involving Chinese actor Wu Yifan, who was once endorsed by Bulgari but later cut ties with the brand in 2021 due to controversy.
China's market influence cannot be underestimated, and many brands have learned from past mistakes when it comes to catering to Chinese consumers. The incident involving Bulgari highlights the importance of respecting China's sovereignty and not taking its consumers for granted. It also serves as a reminder that foreign companies must be mindful of their actions and words in order to maintain positive relationships with the Chinese market.