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Consumers

Consumers
News about consumer spending and shifting shopping habits from around the world with a focus on developments in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Visitors look at Contemporary Amperex’s fast-charging battery at the Shanghai Auto Show on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Pure EVs regain market share in China on lithium cost, battery technology

Lithium prices are just one-ninth of the peak in 2022, allowing EV makers to win over new buyers in mainland China.

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China's economic recovery

China puts onus on stability as Beijing vows domestic support amid US trade war

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Digital cockpit is the key to the Russian EV buyer’s wallet, vendors say

Hong Kong economy

Will Hong Kong firms bear the brunt of Labour Day ‘golden week’ exodus?

Expectations low among business leaders, as some residents likely to set off on five-day getaways.

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Mainland tourists visit Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Nicholas Tse fans fume over obstructed views at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium

Lawmakers call for organisers to be more transparent about seat views when selling tickets.

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IPO

Chinese restaurant chain makes its fifth attempt to list in Hong Kong

The Hangzhou-based budget-dining chain has yet to reveal the amount it plans to raise from the stock offering.

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Banking & finance

Pop Mart prices Labubu 3.0 collection at 99 yuan each

Company raises prices in US and moves more production to Vietnam to combat margin pressure amid tariff uncertainty.

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Pop Mart is introducing Labubu 3.0, a colourful set of seven figurines from the Norse mythology-inspired “The Monsters” series, globally on Thursday. Photo: Handout
China manufacturing

‘Harder you work, less you gain’: China state media slams excessive competition

Economic Daily commentary says ‘neijuan’ – a self-defeating cycle of too much competition – is still prevalent and poses a threat to sustainable growth.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Hesai to quadruple lidar output to extend lead in laser range finders

The company plans to boost production to 2 million units this year from about 502,000 units in 2024, founder and CEO David Li Yifan says.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Nio to join fray in right-hand-drive car markets

Company’s Firefly minicar, priced around US$16,400, will be competitive in global markets despite tariffs, president says.

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William Li, CEO of Chinese EV maker Nio, poses next to the company’s ET9, in Shanghai on April 22, 2025. Photo: Reuters
China economy

Opinion | More of China’s spending power needs to be unleashed. Here’s how

Childcare, healthcare and elderly care are precisely the parts of China’s consumer demand that remain significantly untapped.

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People visit a popular shopping district near Jingan Temple in Shanghai on October 12. Photo: AP
China economy

My Take | China’s tariff opportunity: US trade war could spur needed economic reforms

As it did during the Asian financial crisis, China has a chance to rethink its economy in a way that will lay the groundwork for future growth.

China's economic recovery

How showpiece sports events offer China big rewards in hard times

The game is on as local authorities across country try to capitalise on interest in all things sport – an area in which consumers are willing to splash extra cash.

China trade

French flock to Chinese e-commerce bargains, hunt for ‘agent Taobao’ to deliver

Amid US-China trade war, TikTok accounts show users how to purchase cheap goods directly from Chinese factories to avoid pricing mark-ups and tariffs.

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An illustration pictured on April 16, 2025 shows the logo of Chinese shopping app Taobao. Photo: AFP
Wealth management

Smell of success: fresh Malaysian durians are taking bite out of China’s market

While Thailand dominates durian sales in China, sales of the Malaysian fruit have grown tenfold from last year, industry insiders say.

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Fresh durians from Malaysia displayed at a supermarket in Zhengzhou on August 25, 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Durians in China

China’s durian determination yields golden home-grown bounty in Hainan

Tropical Hainan province has defied sceptics and rewarded investors with China-grown durian, but it ‘simply cannot compete’ with booming imports from Southeast Asia.

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Hong Kong economy

Mainland tourists eye US goods in Hong Kong amid trade war, but few buy: retailers

Retail businesses in the city report slow sales during the Easter holiday as Hongkongers opt to travel.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong family’s ‘chaotic’ Coldplay ticket experience prompts watchdog warning

Victim recounts multiple ‘misleading’ conversations with platform Viagogo, waiting in vain outside Kai Tak Stadium during concert.

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Vocalist Chris Martin performs during Coldplay’s concert at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on April 9, 2025. Photo: Harvey Kong
Hong Kong property

Exclusive | Hong Kong pharmacy to become latest tenant on Russell Street amid rent slump

Annual rent in Causeway Bay shopping district has declined 46 per cent on average between 2018 and 2024, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

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United States

Opinion | Why the cowed silence amid Trump’s attacks on global trade and stability?

Many nations are avoiding confrontation due to caution or pragmatism. But this risks encouraging further actions that could destabilise the global order.

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US-China trade war

TikTok to the rescue? China’s factories go viral as US tariffs drive up prices

With tariffs at record levels, mainland suppliers to US market get creative – but industry insiders remain cautious as duties bite.

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The popular social platform TikTok has 170 million American users – and Chinese exporters have taken note. Photo: AFP
Automotive industry

BYD prices new SUV at aggressive US$18,300 to attract young consumers

BYD slashed the price of the Titanium 3, which includes its new advanced driver assistance system, at the last minute, capitalising on Tesla’s China challenges.

BYD launches the Titanium 3 electric SUV under its Fang Cheng Bao brand in Shenzhen on April 16. Photo: Handout
China economy

Editorial | China’s domestic demand is a key weapon in fight against Trump tariffs

First-quarter GDP growth beat expectations, but in longer term, China must boost local economy and forge new trade deals around the world.

Singapore general election 2025

Trump tariffs don’t worry Singaporean voters. Here’s what matters more to them

Domestic issues and more perspectives in parliament likely to be on voters’ minds for next month’s election, analysts say.

US-China trade war

With US-China decoupling closer than ever, firms are reshaping supply chains

With full US-China decoupling looking closer than ever – though not a certainty – suppliers are rapidly evaluating their relationships and options.

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Illustration: Davies C Surya
US-China trade war

Exclusive | Trump tariffs could make China’s domestic economy stronger in long run: insider

Chinese economy is better prepared this time around compared to the last trade war with the US, an insider said.

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A container ship at Lianyungang port in China’s eastern province of Jiangsu on Sunday. Photo: AFP
China property

Swire Properties bullish on mainland China despite tariff war’s pall

Hong Kong developer says it is on the hunt for retail investments in Shenzhen amid the ‘onshoring’ of consumption, CEO says.

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong consumer watchdog finds 27.4% gap in air con energy efficiency

Consumer Council tests 12 models of inverter split-type air conditioners, says Daikin has highest electric bill savings.

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