So the rumors we heard over the weekend at Kiito's were true ... and sooner than expected. According to SmartShanghai, China West — the outfit that brought, among others, Norah Jones, James Brown, Black Eyed Peas, The Roots, Incubus, James Blunt, Kanye West and Kylie Minogue to China — was "unable to maintain a profitable bottom line" after five years here. SmartShanghai says China West is "bowing out of the Chinese market for 2009," so perhaps they not ruling out a return to the market in 2010 or beyond. Either way, a shame. And then there was one? (OK, maybe two.) more ›

At least, that's what the Swedish fashion retailer would like you to think, given the massive party it threw last night at the Pudong Science and Technology Museum, which included a brief appearance by Aussie pop queen Kylie Minogue. It's clear that expansion into Asia, specifically China, is high on H&M's priority list, so their media machine can be forgiven for grand pronouncements like "Asia is about to change" that show up in our local rags. more ›

We have already told you that H&M will open in Shanghai on April 12 (in the old Benetton building at 651 Huaihai Zhong Lu), and now we have a little more to add to the story (emphasis on a little). This is the hard-hitting stuff you have come to expect from Shanghaiist — yes, Kylie Minogue is coming to Shanghai (earlier this month it was announced that Kylie is the new face — and body, we assume — of H&M swimwear). Sadly, that's about all the "news" we have to offer. The email from the PR firm handling the launch said she'd be appearing at an event for "special invited guests" on April 11. And that's about it. more ›