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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.
People line up to enter a cinema in north China’s Tianjin. Photo: Xinhua
Lunar New Year

Ne Zha 2 hangover? China’s Lunar New Year box office plunges to 6-year low

China’s holiday box office fell nearly 40 per cent year on year as studios failed to find a breakout hit to match last year’s Ne Zha 2.

China economy

China’s weak consumption gets Lunar New Year boost

China's economic recovery

Boom or bust? China’s Lunar New Year spending data is in – here is what we know

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China travel

Chinese shoppers are Asia’s biggest airport spenders, study finds

China’s travellers outspend even their Indian and Saudi peers, splashing twice the regional average on luxury goods, airport retail study says.

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Customers shop at a duty-free store in China’s southern Hainan province. Chinese travellers spend more at airports than any other passengers in Asia, according to a new study. Photo: Getty Images
Tourism

Why are so many South Korean visitors flocking to China’s Guangzhou?

Safety concerns in Southeast Asia and China’s visa-free travel policy among factors fuelling boom in golf tourism.

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Lunar New Year

China targets foreign tourists for Lunar New Year ‘consumption feast’

Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday.

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China economy

Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market

Retailers offer small discounts to spur holiday sales but are set to raise prices after the festival, as investment banks issue bullish outlooks.

Customers look at gold rings at a jewellery store in Shanghai. Photo: Reuters
Retailing

Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou.

China's economic recovery

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

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Mainland China

‘Disgusting’: pre-made Lunar New Year meals lose lustre for Chinese families

Food fight between star influencer and restaurant chain becomes a hot potato at reunion dinner tables as hosts pick quality over convenience.

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The Xibei scandal sparked debate about pre-made meals with many Chinese families planning to ditch the popular option in favour of hosting home cooked reunion dinners this Lunar New Year. Photo: Shutterstock
Asian cinema: Chinese films

China’s Spring Festival box office faces plot twist after 2025 smashed records

Home-grown films lead the charge but fail to meet the phenomenal success of last year’s Ne Zha 2, which attracted record-breaking crowds.

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Moviegoers walked past posters for 2025 blockbusters Ne Zha 2 and Captain America: Brave New World at a cinema in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP
Mainland China

China’s gold rush: why families are doubling down on precious metals

Gold is becoming more popular in China ahead of the Lunar New Year, with households viewing the asset as a safety net amid an uncertain economy.

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Pop Mart

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

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Meituan

Meituan warns of US$3.5 billion loss amid intense food delivery price war

Food delivery giant expects losses to continue into at least the first quarter of 2026 ‘due to ongoing competition’.

A Meituan drone for food delivery takes off from a drone delivery camp near Shenzhen Bay Park. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
China's economic recovery

China overhauls CPI basket, with never-before-seen unveiling of its composition

Beijing’s five-year recalibration aims to better reflect consumption, as policymakers shift weight away from food and housing.

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For China’s consumer price index (CPI) basket, Beijing has increased the weight of transport and communications to 14.3 per cent in its latest five-year adjustment. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

Open Questions | AmCham chairman urges more US-China talks, fewer tariffs

James Zimmerman on US businesses’ desire for stable bilateral relations and fair treatment by China, and why Hong Kong autonomy matters.

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Mainland China

Time on happy hour as French wine and spirit sales sour in mainland China, US

French alcohol exports to mainland China and the US dropped by 19.5 and 21 per cent in 2025 as tariffs stifled global trade.

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China deflation

China’s consumer price growth cools as inflation outlook remains unclear

Consumer price index rose for a fourth straight month in January, though the increase fell short of market expectations.

China’s top economic planner recently signalled new policies to boost spending over the next five years, while tackling price wars. Photo: Xinhua
Yuan

China keen to realise ambitions for digital currency amid slow uptake

Despite record transactions last year, most users prefer alternatives – while Beijing likely to maintain gradual expansion, analysts say.

China travel

China’s cruise industry passes major milestone as Beijing eyes travel boom

As domestic liner handles 1 millionth passenger, Beijing says it aims to turn yachts and cruise ships into major new consumption drivers.

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Food and agriculture

China failed to hit 2025 soybean meal dependence target. US deal makes it harder

Beijing sees soybeans as the agricultural industry’s biggest vulnerability, while plans to cut their use in animal feed have little success.

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Austin Rohlfing harvests soybeans on his family’s field in Missouri. China is putting strategies in place to reduce its reliance on soybean in animal feed as 80 per cent is sourced from overseas, mostly the US and Brazil. Photo: AP
China GDP

China’s future growth rate could drop to 2.5% without market reforms: economist

China will struggle to keep growth above 4 per cent unless there is a ‘strong turnaround’ in productivity and consumer spending, economist warns.

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China logged a record goods trade surplus of nearly US$1.2 trillion last year, but a prominent economist has warned the country’s growth rate could fall in the coming years unless Beijing introduces more market reforms. Photo: AFP
China’s private sector

China’s Year of the Horse shoppers let emotional satisfaction take the reins

Brand prestige fades in importance as consumers favour festival-themed toys, playful designs and pet items.

China’s private sector

China raises taxes on select sectors: a one-off fix or tough times ahead?

A broader push to raise taxes across the private sector is not on the cards, economists say.

China economy

Opinion | Why China’s persistently low inflation is not all bad news

For investors and policymakers, the key takeaway is what that outcome shows about the economy’s capacity to absorb shocks while rebalancing.

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A girl selecting snacks in a shop in Mengzi city in southwestern China’s Yunnan province on October 15. Photo: Xinhua
Sweden

Multinationals race into China’s US$143.9 billion instant retail market

Ikea, Continental and Aldi Nord enlist local partners to launch faster, more comprehensive delivery services than they offer abroad.

Meituan delivery riders gather during a break in a commercial district in Chongqing, China, on November 21, 2025. Photo: Getty Images
China manufacturing

China’s factory activity contracts in January on weak domestic demand

The official purchasing managers’ index drops to 49.3 in January, from 50.1 in December.

China property

Hang Lung flags ‘tough slog’ for property, looks to mainland malls for growth

Hong Kong developer says property segment recovery will be slow, but sees mainland retail and consumption offering the clearest upside.

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