But forget the sprawling 15 to 20 acres devoted to Wal-Mart Supercenters in America. Slape’s Chinese associates are designing multilevel stores in packed urban areas, going for immediate access to a group of consumers that live a very different life from their SUV-driving brethren in the States.

“In China, you have most of the customers that arrive coming by foot, by bicycle, motorcycle, public transportation,” says Slape. “The name of the game is really convenience. You have to stay close to the customer base.”

And retailers are getting closer every day.
has written several pieces for american way on emerging asian markets. he is editor of fiercebiotech.com and has contributed to time, the dallas morning news, and the houston press.     
american airlines will offer nonstop 777 service from chicago o’hare to shanghai, china, beginning april 2, 2006.