Retailers looking to enter the Chinese market will benefit from a workshop to be held this month in Sydney and Melbourne.

China, Too Big To Ignore, aims to provide Australian retailers with advice on cost effective, low cap ex means to enter the China market.

The workshop will discuss why China is relevant to Australian retailers as a retail market, source of goods, retail competitor and a source of capital.

It will also address market entry strategies and fulfilment, launching a brand into China, retail real estate in Shanghai, Chinese retailers moving internationally and recent trends, worst mistakes, and best practices.

Speakers at the event include: Jack Hanrahan, head of retailer relations at Westfield. Hanrahan will moderate and share some of the experiences of his recent Westfield World Retail Study Tour visit to Shanghai.

Mark Schaub, Shanghai-based partner at King & Wood Mallesons. Schaub will lead a discussion on retail opportunities and common mistakes.

He has been based for 20 years in Shanghai and specialises in retail.

Andrew Waters, chairman of China Retail Group and with more than 20 years’ experience as an investment banker in China.

Waters is currently focusing on retail and logistics in China and will introduce how e-commerce can be a cost effective market entry for China. Nicole Sia, associate director in the retailer representation group at CBRE in Shanghai.

She has successfully secured real estate in China as part of the entry and expansion of brands such as Ted Baker, Karen Millen, Stella McCartney, CH Carolina Herrera, Oroton, Jones the Grocer, Gap, Agent Provocateur and many more.

Sia will present an overview on China retail with a special focus on real estate and in particular, assisting new market entrants.

The Sydney event will be held on August 20 from 8am to 9:30am at King & Wood Mallesons’ Sydney CBD office, while the Melbourne worship will take place on August 22 at King & Wood Mallesons’ Bourke St office.

RSVP is required by August 9 to lisa.jones@au.kwm.com