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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 staff member examines electric tricycles before shipment in China’s Shandong province on July 30, 2026. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

China’s factory-gate prices growth slows to 3.5% in July amid lower fuel prices

Amid lower domestic fuel prices and weak domestic demand, the national consumer price index rose 0.5 per cent last month.

Luxury brands

In Focus | ‘Quiet luxury’: why premium Chinese consumers are embracing home-grown brands

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China economy

Editorial | China’s moves to fuel growth driven by consumption are strategic

Hangzhou

Haidilao takes on McDonald’s, KFC with burger brand amid slowing hotpot growth

As burger outlets crowd the domestic market, Haidilao attempts to expand amid declining demand for hotpot.

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Haidilao launched its Fresh Burger store in Wuhan last month. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV sales falter at home as growth slows

Big three Chinese premium vehicle makers’ deliveries decline in July and central bank vows steps to foster economic growth as it hits a four-year low.

Retailing

How global brands are winning in China’s sluggish retail market

The likes of Adidas and L’Oreal are thriving in the evolving market, showcasing strong growth driven by changing consumer demands.

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China economy

Opinion | How likely is Beijing to walk the talk on boosting consumption?

As long as external demand holds up, policymakers appear relatively untroubled by weakening domestic demand, despite rhetoric to the contrary.

Illustration: Dennis Yip
US-China trade war

Grape expectations: California winemakers optimistic for China export resurgence

Despite trade tensions and tariffs, California wineries are hopeful that US wine exports to China will recover as trade relations stabilise.

China deflation

The upside of downsizing: Chinese youth head for more affordable small towns

Fast-paced corporate jobs leave Millennials, Gen Z burnt-out and seeking simpler lives with fewer luxuries outside China’s megacities.

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China GDP

China’s debt ratio dips. Why it may not bode well for the economy

Debt-level gains mask private-sector contraction, with government lone growth lever as households deleverage, firms shun borrowing: report.

China’s debt-to-GDP ratio slipped 1.1 percentage points to 308.2 per cent, according to a Beijing-based think tank. Photo: AFP
China’s Communist Party

China factories cool, CXMT surges, PLA marks anniversary

This week: China manufacturing surprisingly contracts, the Politburo dampens stimulus expectations, memory maker CXMT surges after IPO, and the US bans imports of Chinese robots. Next week: The PLA celebrates its 99th anniversary, July exports may cool, HSBC posts earnings, soccer giants play in Hong Kong, and more.

Photo: Reuters
China’s Communist Party

July Politburo meeting read-out

SCMP Plus annotates the read-out of the July meeting of China’s top-level Politburo, where it was agreed that the Communist Party’s fifth plenum will be held in October and which signalled stronger support for the economy.

China's economic recovery

China’s Politburo pledges policy support, spending to counteract sluggish growth

The high-level decision-making body also set October for the fifth Central Committee plenum, which will set the stage for next year’s party congress.

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Labubu

China’s Pop Mart opens new store in Singapore’s Sentosa as domestic sales slow

Popular toymaker targets global expansion and revenue diversification, looking beyond just collectibles.

Pop Mart has opened a new store in Sentosa, Singapore. Photo: Handout
How luxury is made

LVMH’s fashion and leather division reports 1% organic growth in second quarter

The French luxury brand has also seen persisting positive momentum in China for Hennessy cognac since the 2026 Chinese New Year.

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Luxury brand LVMH has reported a 1 per cent organic increase in the second quarter of 2026 in its fashion and leather division. Photo: Reuters
Mainland China

China’s 15th five-year plan for consumption

Officials have set a target for retail sales to hit 60 trillion yuan, or US$8.9 trillion, by 2030 under a plan approved by the State Council.

China GDP

China’s ‘K-shaped’ economy is divided not just by sector, but geography

The divide between China’s booming tech industry and struggling consumer sector has drawn attention. But regional disparities are also widening.

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China technology

Back in fashion? Burberry sales jump in China amid tech wealth

Burberry and Cartier see sales surge in China, driven by Gen Z and tech wealth, but recovery remains uncertain amid economic challenges.

Burberry's art horse on display during Chinese New Year celebrations in Shanghai on February 19, 2026. The British luxury brand had sales of £455 million (US$606 million) in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. Photo: Getty Images
China debt

Price of parenting: the household maths giving China’s consumers pause

Falling property wealth, job insecurity and sky-high childcare costs are forcing middle-class families to aggressively scale back consumer spending.

China’s private sector

Meet Yu Donglai, founder of China’s viral supermarket chain and premier’s guest

Yu’s company has caught the public’s attention for its business practices and high-quality goods.

China energy security

China’s 15th five-year plan for renewable energy development

Beijing unveils renewable energy targets for the next five years, aiming to increase green energy consumption by more than 50 per cent.

Photo: AP
China's economic recovery

Shanghai beats GDP estimates with 5.6% growth – but two-speed recovery persists

Official data points to a resilient tech-led rebound even as prominent economists warn household spending remains stubbornly cautious.

A view of the Lujiazui financial district in Pudong, Shanghai, on October 27, 2025. Photo: AFP
China manufacturing

China’s car industry is on a tear overseas. So why are sales at home plunging?

Chinese car brands have suffered a steep drop in domestic sales this year, with Beijing scaling back subsidies and buyers reluctant to spend.

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China property

Ikea’s China remodelling: parent firm to sell 8 former retail sites

Sales follow store closures as Swedish furniture retailer focuses on online channels amid sluggish property market, consumer spending.

Elon Musk

How Musk son’s viral bag highlights rise of China’s thriving heritage e-commerce

China’s intangible heritage crafts have evolved from handmade nostalgia into a surging online industry driven by young artisans and buyers.

Elon Musk and son Little X visited Beijing in May. Photo: Reuters
Mainland China

Under pressure: China’s yoga apparel market slows as consumers diversify hobbies

Growth has slowed in the market for yoga workout gear as Chinese consumers pivot to other brands and activities.

A Lululemon shop in Shanghai on May 19. The brand is seeing slowing sales amid a backdrop of shifting consumer preferences. Photo: AFP
China economy

Opinion | How domestic tourism is driving Chinese consumption and growth

After a blockbuster first half, all eyes will be on how domestic tourism sustains the momentum through the autumn and ‘golden week’ breaks.

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Mainland China

A Shanghai bout, a home-grown fighter – can the UFC repeat the NBA’s China success story?

Two months after the White House fight night, UFC will bring one of US President Donald Trump’s favourite sports to Shanghai.

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