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China consumption

China consumption
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China consumption. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A shopping mall in Shanghai. In a bid to avoid economic divergence, China is looking to boost domestic consumption amid weakened domestic demand. Photo: EPA
Mainland China

China faces economic balancing act: AI, exports boom while consumers stay home

Two high-level meetings show that Beijing is aware of economic imbalances as Politburo prepares high-stakes growth assessment next month.

Luxury brands

Self-expression, experiences, resale: what luxury clients really want

Consumers

Pandora, Swarovski shrink China footprint amid shifting consumer preferences

China GDP

Open Questions | Economist Richard Koo on China and Japan’s shared ‘battle against time’

China has strong tech industries and a large market – but so did Japan before its recession, warns the Nomura Research Institute scholar.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
China-South Korea relations

Will K-pop give South Korean retailers an edge in China market?

Even though China’s convenience store market is crowded with Chinese rivals and foreign peers like 7-Eleven, it remains far from saturated.

China deflation

Open Questions | Nomura economist on China’s deflation woes, fraught Japan ties

Richard Koo on the difficulty of raising consumption spending, why fraying Tokyo ties should worry Beijing, Trump’s weakness and fallout from Iran war.

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China’s private sector

China is fretting over a demographic crisis – but what companies might benefit?

Goldman Sachs says pharmaceutical, biotech sectors could see strongest tailwinds, while car industry, tech hardware makers may struggle.

Two elderly people in Beijing on June 1. Photo: EPA
China's economic recovery

Beijing’s plan to revive foreign direct investment

SCMP Plus annotates 15-point plan released by the central government aimed at attracting foreign investment and reversing a decline in capital inflows.

Walmart

After Beijing’s food-safety warning, will Sam’s Club slow its expansion?

Firm makes leadership changes but might have to prioritise supply chain shortcomings after Beijing’s ‘accountability interview’.

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China's economic recovery

China steps up push to revive foreign investment. Will it be enough?

The measures include greater market access in services, finance and healthcare, though analyst says it remains unclear how the reforms will be implemented.

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The State Council Information Office holds a press conference on policies and measures to stabilise and optimise the utilisation of foreign investment, in Beijing on June 22. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland China

Why are cash-strapped Chinese cities spending millions to host TV shows?

Jiangshan spent heavily to host the Chinese version of ‘Running Man’, but the project has provoked backlash amid China’s economic slowdown.

Cast members from the Chinese reality television show Keep Running pose for a photograph. Photo: Handout
E-commerce

China’s e-commerce platforms help unlock global markets for South Korean brands

China’s cross-border platforms, which sell to millions of shoppers, are acting as a low-cost route to overseas customers in several regions.

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Artificial intelligence

China plans to embed AI in consumer goods and services

Ministry of Commerce says goal is to promote AI’s entry into ‘millions of households and millions of shops’.

China travel

Why are foreign travellers racing to China for the June Dragon Boat holiday?

Chinese travel platforms have logged a big jump in bookings by inbound tourists over the holiday, as global interest in Chinese festivals rises.

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Dragon boat crews take part in a waterborne parade in Tongren, southwest China’s Guizhou province, ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Photo: Xinhua
Consumers

‘People are more cautious’: has China lost its appetite for shopping festivals?

The shopping bonanza used to see mountains of packages pile up on street corners, but orders have dwindled amid China’s economic slowdown.

Staff members sort mounds of parcels for delivery at a fulfillment centre in east China’s Shandong province ahead of the “618” shopping festival. Photo: Xinhua
China’s private sector

Can Pop Mart sustain the Labubu juggernaut as China sales cool?

Analysts warn of rising sales pressure as China demand tapers off, even as Pop Mart bets on new launches and overseas growth.

Food delivery apps

China proposes ban on ‘irrational’ food-delivery subsidies to end price wars

Regulators target predatory pricing and merchant coercion, with new rules requiring that tech giants disclose subsidy data and not disrupt the market.

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Regulation

Video | Sam’s Club executives summoned over food safety in China

Members-only food chain has faced complaints in China about rats and maggots found in its products.

General view of Sam’s Club in Shenzhen. State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) summoned the representatives of Sam’s Club for an "accountability interview" in response to “frequent food safety issues”. 15JUN26 SCMP/ Sam Tsang
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China economy

China’s retail sales fall for first time since Covid

A decline in retail sales in May and weakening investments stand in contrast to China’s booming exports.

China economy

China sees first retail sales drop in over 3 years, prompting talk of stimulus

Despite surge in exports, the economy remained under pressure in May, with first decline in retail sales seen since end of Covid lockdown in late 2022.

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China economy

China credit data shows demand dip, household deleveraging amid weak investment

But while traditional industries are mired in a downturn, hi-tech firms look to expand – many through direct financing.

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People walk along a street in Shanghai on Tuesday. Households in China are showing a weak appetite for taking on debt. Photo: EPA
China jobs

Why more Chinese university graduates turn to flexible work, skip higher degrees

China’s graduates recast career choices, trading tradition for flexible paths as salary growth lags and postgraduate ambitions fade: MyCOS.

Recruiters talk to jobseekers at a job fair in China’s eastern Jiangsu province on May 22. Photo: AFP
China economy

Letters | Data shows China’s trade-in scheme is successfully driving consumer spending

Readers discuss the impact of China’s massive consumption subsidy programme, and the traditional dominance of administrative officers in key government roles.

Walmart

China summons executives of Walmart-owned Sam’s Club over ‘food-safety issues’

Members-only supermarket chain urged to ‘strictly fulfil’ its corporate responsibilities.

Health in China

China has the most smokers in the world. Is it harming the economy?

Public health experts warn low taxes on cigarettes risk undermining Beijing’s pursuit of a healthier population.

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A smoker in Yichang city, Hubei province on May 31, 2025. China is home to about 350 million smokers, according to the WHO. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
China travel

Panda and pet services: China plans over 160 tourist trains to boost consumption

Beijing eyes themed journeys and new on-board services as part of broader efforts to rebalance the economy.

On November 11, 2024, the brand-new “Panda Express” tourist train officially debuted in Chengdu. Photo: scol.com
China inflation

China’s factory price jump contrasts with muted consumer inflation

Higher oil costs and the AI boom are driving up producer prices, while weak domestic demand is weighing on consumer prices.

China inflation

China’s consumer prices see May uptick as oil shock inflates factory-gate costs

The mild increase in consumer inflation, attributed to higher AI demand and global price fluctuations, fell short of market expectations.

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