Global Economy: No Help from China's Consumers (BusinessWeek Online via Y)

Jack Tan was a Western marketer's dream. The 24-year-old bank manager from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen regularly spent a big chunk of his $1,200 monthly salary at Pizza Hut , McDonald's , and TGI Friday's. He wears Nikes , carries a Nokia phone, and listens to Linkin Park and Green Day on his iPod (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News) nano. His pick-me-up? A latte at Starbucks (NasdaqGS:SBUX - News).

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