Biz Scene: BIZ UNUSUAL

China Daily | Updated: 2007-07-25 06:53

Transforming toys

The recently released American action film Transformers not only broke box office records but also boosted the movie-related toy market in China and provides those who have a collection of Transformers toys with a business opportunity.

Zhang Rui, who is a big fan of the classic animated TV series, has been collecting various versions of Transformers products since the 1980s. He has now opened a toy store in Nanjing, which sells products ranging from old comic books, DVDs, helmets, posters and action figure models. The most expensive item in his store is a Transformers toy made in the 1980s priced at 6,800 yuan.

Private yacht license

Now a license for driving cars is not enough for some people in Dalian. As the private yacht market matures, more and more residents in the coastal city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province are in pursuit of their type of second driving license - a yacht sailing certificate. And many are preparing for the license not for enjoyment, but to gain a skill to get a job as yacht sailor, even though the training fee is as high as 10,000 yuan.

Halo Jinx, who received his license last month, said he had earned 5,000 yuan by only sailing twice in a month.

Killer bar

"It is turning dark, close your eyes. Now the killer can come out"

As the role-playing game "Killer" became popular around the country, a businessman in Chengdu recently opened a bar offering a comfortable place and facilities for the game's fans.

"Customers can have fun and get to know more friends here," the bar's boss said.

However, some residents criticized the bar's billboard, saying it is too scary and may mislead teenagers.

Test-taker discount

During the season for university recruitment, retailers in Wuhan are targeting students who just took college entrance examinations, called gaokao in Chinese.

Students, with their gaokao ID cards and exam records can receive discounts from many stores when buying computers, cell phones, MP3 players and other goods that college freshmen need.

(China Daily 07/25/2007 page15)