Monday, May 21, 2007

A look at U.S. brands found in Cuba

A look at U.S. brands found in Cuba

May. 20, 2007 08:37 PM
A look at some U.S. brands sold in communist-run Cuba:

Mickey Mouse Fire Truck battery operated toy

Where: Galeria Comercial, Comodoro Hotel, Havana

How much: 5.15 Cuban Convertible Pesos ($5.55)

Made In: China

Also available: Mickey Mouse plastic mirrors and combs; wrapping paper
with various Disney characters - all with Disney copyrights and logos

U.S. corporate: Disney Consumer Products, part of The Walt Disney
Company, Burbank, Calif.

And ... Fire trucks appear to have been shipped directly from China:
Each box is sealed with a yellow-and-red "Certificate of Qualification
(sic)," complete with Chinese characters and an inspector number.

Nike Air Force I sneakers

Where: Manzana Gomez shopping center, off Havana's Central Park

How much: 129.40 Cuban Convertible Pesos ($140)

Made in: China

Also available: Nike Max Air 180s

U.S. corporate: Nike Inc., Beaverton, Oregon.

And ... "Come back after the weekend and we'll have more," a salesman
said. "They are always bringing more Nikes."

Bausch & Lomb ReNu Plus "No Rub" Multi-use Solution for soft contact lens

Where: El Almendares Optician, along Obispo Boulevard on the fringe of
Old Havana

How much: 120-mililiter bottle for 15.50 Cuban Convertible Pesos ($16.75).

Made in: USA

Also available: Bausch & Lomb Simplus for gas permeable and hard contacts

U.S. corporate: Bausch & Lomb Inc., Rochester, New York

And ... Some stores sell samples of various Bausch & Lomb solutions that
are distributed in Mexico and read "Free" on the side, but sell for
12.25 CUC ($13.25).

Rubbermaid Water Cooler

Where: Galerias Cohiba, Melia Cohiba Hotel, Havana

How much: 148 Cuban Convertible Pesos ($160)

Made in: USA

U.S. corporate: Rubbermaid Home Products, Wooster, Ohio. Part of Newell
Rubbermaid Inc., Atlanta

And ... If there is a run on these circular, orange-and-white plastic
coolers, Cuba is ready. One store had no less than six in-stock.

http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0520biz-cuba0521box.html

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