Second quarter revenue was $45.1 million, an increase of $10.7 million or 31% from $34.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010. Approximately 65% of the sales in the second quarter were generated from China's domestic markets while approximately 35% were from export markets. The increase in revenues was a result of our expansion of sales in the China domestic market. We were also able to raise the average selling prices of our products during the quarter and maintained healthy profit margins across our product lines.
Our gross profit margin was approximately 29% for the three months ended June 30, 2011, which reflects blended profit margins between our higher margin China domestic sales and generally lower margins from export sales. Our gross profit margin is higher in the China domestic markets than export markets because products are generally sold at much higher prices on both the retail and wholesale levels in our industry in China. In addition, we continue to improve manufacturing efficiency through in-house production of key components of our products, thereby benefiting further from economies of scale as we also capture manufacture margins.
Q2/2011 OPERATING EXPENSES
SG&A expenses for the quarter were approximately $3.9 million, an increase of $1 million or 36% from $2.9 million for the same period of 2010, as expected, due to the hiring of additional direct sales staff and in-store product promoters to further our revenue growth in China. Our advertising costs remained minimal during the second quarter of 2011, as expected, because we use factory representatives and in-store promoters to promote our products directly to consumers at retail locations, which is a standard marketing practice in the small household appliances industry in China. The in-store promotion approach is highly effective in marketing products directly to consumers in the unique Chinese retail environment as compared to traditional mass media advertising channels that may incur significant advertising expenses without enhancing sales. According to a survey in the 2010 China Small Electronics Market Research Report, approximately 60% of Chinese consumers surveyed purchased small household appliances as a result of direct product introduction from in-store product promoters. Like other established domestic brands in China, our in-store promoters market our products exclusively and directly to in-store customer traffic.
2011年8月9日星期二
2011年4月1日星期五
How to Avoid an Allergy Attack
The weather's warming, blooms are bursting – and you couldn't be more miserable. Find out how to stop sniffling and sneezing this allergy season…
It starts with a runny nose, watery eyes and a tickle in the back of your throat. At its worst, you may feel as if you'll never stop sneezing.
If this happens every year, you have seasonal allergic rhinitis – otherwise known as hay fever.
It strikes when plants release pollen, usually in spring. When you breathe it in, your immune system thinks it's being attacked, so it releases chemicals called histamines to fight the invaders. Instead, you wind up sneezy, watery and itchy.
More than 50 million Americans have some type of allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). If you're one of them, here's how to stay healthy when pollen count is high:
Allergy Attack Risk Factors
The severity of allergy symptoms depends on season, weather and even your menstrual cycle. Being aware of these factors can help avoid attacks, experts say. Consider:
Time of year: Generally, pollen season lasts from February or March through October. The farther south you live, the earlier pollen – and allergy – season hits, according to the AAAAI.
In warmer places, it can be year-round.
Ragweed, the plant that causes the strongest seasonal symptoms, is most active at the end of summer – so that's the worst time for nature hikes.
The weather: Shifts in climate can trigger allergies, says Gary Rachelefsky, M.D., professor of allergy and immunology at the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA).
"Changes in barometric pressure – a drop in humidity and hot air – can worsen symptoms," he says. "Even moving in and out of air-conditioned rooms can aggravate someone who is sensitive."
Windy days can be the worst, says Vincent Tubiolo, M.D., an allergy specialist in Santa Barbara, Calif. Breezes carry pollen through the air that you breathe.
Rain washes away some pollen, and may improve things temporarily, he adds. But don't be complacent; shortly after a rain shower, pollen count rises even higher than before.
Your time of the month: Believe it or not, allergy symptoms can be linked to your monthly cycle.
"Rising and falling hormone levels can affect allergies," Rachelefsky says.
Over-the-counter allergy medications can help when symptoms arise, he adds. Write down when this happens, so you can predict when to avoid outside activity in the future.
Pregnant or trying to conceive? Many over-the-counter allergy relief medications are safe to take – but consult your doctor first, Rachelefsky cautions.
Other substances: If environmental allergens such as dust mites, pet dander and mold bother you, they could also worsen your seasonal pollen symptoms, says allergist Anne K. Ellis, M.D., director of the Environmental Exposure Unit at Kingston General Hospital in Ontario, Canada.
This phenomenon is called "priming." Your body's defenses are already lowered, so it's harder to fight off new seasonal allergies.
Eliminating or minimizing exposure to these substances helps reduce the risk of an allergy attack. If you're allergic to pet dander, for example, don't let "Mr. Tinkles" sleep with you. If dust mites are a problem, clean frequently and use allergy-proof bedding.
It starts with a runny nose, watery eyes and a tickle in the back of your throat. At its worst, you may feel as if you'll never stop sneezing.
If this happens every year, you have seasonal allergic rhinitis – otherwise known as hay fever.
It strikes when plants release pollen, usually in spring. When you breathe it in, your immune system thinks it's being attacked, so it releases chemicals called histamines to fight the invaders. Instead, you wind up sneezy, watery and itchy.
More than 50 million Americans have some type of allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). If you're one of them, here's how to stay healthy when pollen count is high:
Allergy Attack Risk Factors
The severity of allergy symptoms depends on season, weather and even your menstrual cycle. Being aware of these factors can help avoid attacks, experts say. Consider:
Time of year: Generally, pollen season lasts from February or March through October. The farther south you live, the earlier pollen – and allergy – season hits, according to the AAAAI.
In warmer places, it can be year-round.
Ragweed, the plant that causes the strongest seasonal symptoms, is most active at the end of summer – so that's the worst time for nature hikes.
The weather: Shifts in climate can trigger allergies, says Gary Rachelefsky, M.D., professor of allergy and immunology at the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA).
"Changes in barometric pressure – a drop in humidity and hot air – can worsen symptoms," he says. "Even moving in and out of air-conditioned rooms can aggravate someone who is sensitive."
Windy days can be the worst, says Vincent Tubiolo, M.D., an allergy specialist in Santa Barbara, Calif. Breezes carry pollen through the air that you breathe.
Rain washes away some pollen, and may improve things temporarily, he adds. But don't be complacent; shortly after a rain shower, pollen count rises even higher than before.
Your time of the month: Believe it or not, allergy symptoms can be linked to your monthly cycle.
"Rising and falling hormone levels can affect allergies," Rachelefsky says.
Over-the-counter allergy medications can help when symptoms arise, he adds. Write down when this happens, so you can predict when to avoid outside activity in the future.
Pregnant or trying to conceive? Many over-the-counter allergy relief medications are safe to take – but consult your doctor first, Rachelefsky cautions.
Other substances: If environmental allergens such as dust mites, pet dander and mold bother you, they could also worsen your seasonal pollen symptoms, says allergist Anne K. Ellis, M.D., director of the Environmental Exposure Unit at Kingston General Hospital in Ontario, Canada.
This phenomenon is called "priming." Your body's defenses are already lowered, so it's harder to fight off new seasonal allergies.
Eliminating or minimizing exposure to these substances helps reduce the risk of an allergy attack. If you're allergic to pet dander, for example, don't let "Mr. Tinkles" sleep with you. If dust mites are a problem, clean frequently and use allergy-proof bedding.
订阅：
博文 (Atom)