Lenovo Group and other PC makers are targeting consumers in rural China, an untapped and fast-growing market, the Wall Street Journal reported this morning.
Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard and others see potential in that part of the world, spurred by a $586 billion government stimulus program that helps pay for PCs. They're also trying to offset slower sales in the U.S. and elsewhere by expanding in new markets.
The companies are aggressively marketing to customers in mostly poor rural China, the newspaper reported. Lenovo, for example, is using slogans such as "Buy a Lenovo PC, Be a Happy Bride" -- trying to encourage PCs as high-status wedding presents.
The company recently opened 700 retail stores in rural China.
Lenovo is a Chinese company that maintains a world headquarters in Morrisville. The company established a Triangle presence when it bought IBM's PC business in 2005.
Read the full Wall Street Journal story here.
Assistant Business Editor Alan M. Wolf joined the N&O in 1999 covering the business of health care. He became an editor in 2001, and helps oversee the paper's daily business coverage and Sunday Work&Money section. He lives in Clayton with his wife and two children. Reach him at 919-829-4572 or 
