Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

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.
Aggressive sales tactics have come under the spotlight after allegations were made against now-closed Opatra London branches in Hong Kong, run by Sayles Retail. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Inside the playbook used to dupe Hongkongers into making big beauty product buys

Recent controversy surrounding Opatra London and local distributors puts aggressive sales tactics by certain chains under media spotlight.

China consumption

China eyes rural markets, local town centres to tackle national consumption woes

Hong Kong society

Opatra London distances itself from Hong Kong firm over deceptive sales allegations

4
China jobs

China’s domestic demand further weakens in July, analysts bet on extra stimulus

Retail sales, a key consumption metric, trailed a 1.3 per cent growth forecast, while fixed-asset investment also weakened.

Employees work in a restaurant in Beijing. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong society

Customs steps in over claims beauty chain Opatra cheated woman out of HK$60,000

Woman, 58, claimed she bought HK$61,400 worth of products at Sha Tin outlet and questioned sales practices, police say.

6
China consumption

High-spending counties offer a rare bright spot amid China’s weak demand

Lower costs, lighter debt and return-migrant capital are boosting household purchasing power in China’s smaller cities.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong stock market

From chasing robots to chasing profits: the numbers moving markets

Unitree Robotics, US inflation rates, gold prices, Hong Kong homes and CK Hutchison’s interim results were in the spotlight this week.

Unitree’s G1 humanoid robots sit next to a child interacting with the company's GO2 robot at a Unitree store in Beijing on August 1, 2026. Photo: Reuters
E-commerce

JD.com’s second-quarter profit rises 15% as food-delivery losses narrow

Net revenue dips, but still beats analysts’ estimate, as e-commerce giant contends with weak demand and fierce competition.

Hong Kong property

CK Hutchison Holdings reports 31-fold surge in first-half profit

Global environment in the first half of 2026 was ‘exceptionally turbulent and uncertain’, says chairman Victor Li Tzar-kuoi.

Singapore

Singapore’s provision shops struggle to keep shutters open in HDB heartlands

Owners say they face hurdles including stiff competition, rising costs and a lack of desire from their children to take over the business.

Ramasamy Vellasamy has been running a provision shop on the ground floor of a housing block in northern Singapore since 1986. Photo: Kolette Lim
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV sales keep sliding as incentives fade and price war seen heating up

A seven-month domestic downturn contrasts with a 147.8 per cent jump in overseas shipments, highlighting a widening gap between domestic and export markets.

videocam
6
Electric vehicles made by Volkswagen are seen on a production line in China’s Anhui province earlier this year. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Driven off the road: Nio’s German car registrations down 90%

In contrast to its Chinese peers, Nio is struggling in Europe’s largest car market, registering just three cars last month and 18 this year.

China consumption

Gap bucks retail headwinds with massive China expansion amid localisation drive

Gap’s plan for dozens of new stores and return to Hong Kong market comes as Ralph Lauren also posted a 40 per cent year-on-year jump in China sales in past quarter.

videocam
Banking & finance

China’s banks look to unload US$8.2b in bad credit-card loans

The pace of disposal efforts has accelerated since July, coinciding with the country’s slowing economy.

The rise in transfers comes as lenders face mounting asset-quality and profitability pressures. Photo: Shutterstock Images
China consumption

Lululemon rival Alo Yoga enters China market with new store on Alibaba’s Tmall

The US brand announced its entry into China in June as part of its international expansion to tap the premium ‘athleisure’ market.

An Alo clothing store at a shopping mall in Houston, Texas. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Wellness

What’s really in your menstrual products – and should you be worried?

TikTok exposed Always for chemicals and mould concerns, but newer brands like Rael and Thinx are proving the period aisle can do better.

China consumption

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China travel

China tops South Korea’s outbound travel charts as short-haul tourism surges

About 1.7 million South Koreans visited China in the first half of this year, up 16 per cent from the same period last year.

South Korean tourists pose for photos at the Bund in Shanghai. Photo: Xinhua
China consumption

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

A growing number of local brands are winning over premium consumers who prize craftsmanship, innovation and a high‑value sense of luxury.

13
China economy

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

Government subsidies for consumer goods can only go so far. Beijing’s first five-year plan to lift household consumption is part of an essential pivot.

Hong Kong economy

Food Expo vendors hoping for tasty profits with items such as caviar sake gelato

Abalone for HK$1, handcrafted caviar mooncakes and discounted coffee and milk tea packs among products at next week’s Food Expo.

Henry Poon of On Kee Dry Seafood says abalone for HK$1 will be offered as part of a game to attract customers. Karma Lo
Hong Kong property

The Peninsula Hong Kong and Tokyo set for HK$2.1 billion revamp

No timeline has been set, but the operator says it will minimise disruption while preserving the heritage of its iconic Hong Kong hotel.

The Peninsula Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is set to undergo renovation. Photo: Sam Tsang
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.

Electric & new energy vehicles

In Focus | Will new EV batteries fast-charge the global automotive industry?

Amid a fiercely competitive domestic market, China’s battery tech leads in global innovation and cost reduction, promising safer, faster EVs.

4
Illustration: Brian Wang
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
China travel

How international hotel chains are expanding in China’s ‘approachable’ segment

Global hotel groups are expanding into China’s midscale segment as price-sensitive travellers seek value without sacrificing brand trust.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Price war fears grip China’s EV market after woeful July sales figures

Three premium Chinese electric car makers saw sales decline in July, intensifying concerns that the industry is heading for another discount war.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement