VF Corp eyes China as its 'biggest' market

Company CEO: Strong economic growth, rising middle-income group key to biz

US-based apparel, footwear and accessories company VF Corp will develop China into its biggest market, its top executive said, spurred by the country's strong economic growth, rising middle-income group and higher demand for an active and healthy lifestyle from consumers.

"It (China) has always been important and it's getting more important every day … It is our No 2 market in the world (after the United States) and is the fastest growing," said Bracken Darrell, president and CEO of VF Corp, during an exclusive interview with China Daily.

Operating more than 1,500 mono-brand stores under seven brands, including The North Face, Vans and Timberland, in the country, Darrell said China currently contributes about 10 percent of the company's global business, with a faster pace of growth than that of the rest of the world.