The inevitability of consequences of the recession and the subsequent slow recovery has forced one good thing on consumers and companies: That only strong products – unbeatable value – will gain first advantage in the recovery. The super niche brands aimed at the upper crust were affected not so much because of money/value but by sentiment.
A China slowdown will affect that sentiment, but only for a short time. It will affect the value consumer for much longer.
I think this will force companies to offer even stronger value, making flashy branding less attractive than value. And thats how it should be, considering everything uses up global resources that are best conserved.
Bottom line: Strong Value products ought actually to be strengthened, not weakened by a China slowdown.
Tailpiece: China will not allow a slow down thats so steep that it hits its own products – typically the Hi-Value kind.