Dinner Talk

2007/8/21
B&Q and G.O.D. Who's Gonna Rock the Market? Dinner Gathering

Content:

The founder of G.O.D. shared the original ideas of the establishment of G.O.D., a unique furniture store emphasized on Hong Kong culture. The CEO of B&Q revealed the market research and analysis done before entering into Hong Kong market. Both speakers presented their unique characteristics and style of the products that make the brands differentiated from other furniture brands in Hong Kong.

Speaker:
Mr Steve Gilman, CEO, B&Q Asia Ltd

• Mr Steve Gilman is responsible for potential new market development in Asia, in countries such as India and Thailand.
• As CEO of B&Q Asia, Steve is responsible for new market development in the Region, and the management of B&Q China and B&Q Taiwan and B&Q Hong Kong.
• He reports to Kingfisher Group CEO, Gerry Murphy, and is also a member of the Kingfisher Executive Committee. Steve set up China B&Q in 1998 and remains as Chairman.

Mr. Douglas Young, Founder of G.O.D.

• Since 1991, Young has worked on Hong Kong projects ranging from residential to retail interiors. In 1996, Young founded G.O.D together with partner Benjamin Lau. The shop retails contemporary furniture and homeware as well as a range of lifestyle accessories
• To date, G.O.D has a 20,000 sq.ft. Flagship store in Causeway Bay, and also shops in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. G.O.D wholesales products to many countries, and has plans to open individual shops in Asia
• G.O.D. also received awards such as The Creative Force award by city Magazine, The Hong Kong Top Ten Brands Awards by Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, A distinguished design from China for Asia Award by HK Design Centre and TDC
• Douglas Young has received many personal awards and some examples are The 2005 Johnnie Walker 200th Anniversary Award to keep-walking Entrepreneur by Rich Monde Limited, and The 2006 Ten Outstanding Designers Awards 2006 by Hong Kong Communication Art Centre

Moderator: Mr KM Yim, Chairperson, Hong Kong Institute of Marketing