China is the second largest economy in the world and every significant brand's future is impacted by its growth (or collapse)—but who's got the time?! Here's the week's reads that will make you look like a keen China observer in case you find yourself immersed in a cultural conversation.

This week: Apple's slow(er) sales... Quake relief PR... Japan's sales woes... Electric vehicle hopes... Rolls Royce driving... Retail trends... China's oldest scissors maker... Ai Weiwei "snap bracelets,"... liquor ad increase... Boo-hoo Yahoo... Caterpillar... Airbus... Airline outfits... Desperate hotels... A giant rubber duck... and more.Continue reading...

Dodge will expand the Ram truck division. [Detroit News]

Google unveils 5 new features to their search engine. [FT]

Online retailer Zappo's debuts paper catalog. [NY Times]

Hasbro beats Mattel for a ten-year Sesame Street contract. [NY Times]

Cadbury will make a formal response to Kraft's bid next Monday. [Times of London]

The comeback of India's number two motorcycle maker. [Forbes]

Does appealing to budget conscious consumers hurt the Saks brand? [Globe and Mail]Continue reading...