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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.
The government’s proposals include a statutory seven-day cooling-off period and a 14-day refund window for fitness and beauty contracts. Photo: Jelly Tse
Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Customers seeking refunds during cooling-off period will need to pay admin fee

Under proposed changes, customers should shoulder a percentage of the total sum when they apply to cancel a contract, government says.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | 13-month retail growth streak proves Hong Kong is back in business

China exports

Video | Europeans snap up Chinese-made air conditioners amid heatwave

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV deliveries continue downward spiral, exacerbating industry worries

About 1 million electric or hybrid vehicles were delivered to customers in China in June, down 7 per cent year on year.

An aerial view of new electric vehicles at Shanghai Port on May 9. Photo: AFP
China consumption

Can China’s budget brands crack developed markets? Mixue shows it won’t be easy

Slow expansion in Japan and store closures in Hong Kong suggest low prices may not be enough to win over consumers in mature economies.

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China stock market

China’s divergent stock market displays a microcosm of the nation’s economy

The stock market catalogues China’s uneven growth, as manufacturing expands and consumption falls.

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China trade

Why is a Chinese-made portable AC selling out across heat-stricken Europe?

Popularity of Midea’s PortaSplit fuels resale mark-ups and expedited shipping as renters favour plug-and-play cooling amid installation barriers.

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A Midea PortaSplit air conditioner is pictured at Midea’s German R&D Centre on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua
China consumption

After hooking China on coffee, Starbucks ramps up consumer strategy

Now that the chain has Chinese consumers hooked on coffee, it is attempting to become part of local consumer culture, analysts say.

China travel

Currency advantages, K-beauty fuel Chinese shopping trips, spending in Korea

Chinese tourists in Seoul are turning tourist trips into shopping sprees, as a softer won makes luxury and lifestyle services more affordable.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s BYD surpasses Tesla to regain lead in global EV race

The electric vehicle manufacturer has retaken the crown after pulling ahead in overseas shipments.

The BYD logo at a dealership in Beijing on June 9. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong retail sales grow 7.9% in May, extending winning streak to 13 months

Value of retail sales for month reaches HK$33.8 billion, helped by increase in visitor numbers.

Department stores and optical shops recorded gains of 9.2 per cent and 10.3 per cent, respectively, in May. Photo: Sam Tsang
Beauty

The science of skincare, according to 111Skin’s co-founder – interview

Eva Alexandridis’ husband, Yannis, is a plastic surgeon who works at their clinic on London’s famous Harley Street – which also provides inspiration for new products.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Will slowing car sales in China reignite brutal price war in crowded market?

Global consultancy AlixPartners delivers most bearish forecast for Chinese carmakers’ fortunes this year.

China’s private sector

Race to the bottom? Why retailers bet on their own brands in China

Analysts forecast in-house goods to rise sharply as Chinese retailers seek loyalty and offset lost supplier-funded fees.

Chinese retailers are increasingly relying on higher merchandise margins generated by their own brands, according to a report. Photo: Sam Tsang
Luxury brands

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

A new McKinsey and Business of Fashion report reveals how aspirational spending, emotional connection and experience are reshaping the luxury sector.

Shoppers queue outside a Dior boutique on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, in 2024. The luxury market has cooled down recently, but is predicted to make a comeback by 2030. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong economy

No plan to extend tighter rules to yoga and dance studios: Hong Kong official

Proposed rules would apply only to gyms and beauty parlours, which logged about 5,000 prepaid contract complaints over six years, official says.

E-commerce

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong eyes cool-off period for beauty, gym deals to curb hard-sell tactics

Proposals aim at addressing enforcement gaps under Trade Descriptions Ordinance in sectors involving large prepayments and long-term contracts.

Complaints involving beauty and fitness services account for nearly 90 per cent of sectors most prone to improper selling practices, according to the government. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Luxury travel

Hotel boutiques are now destinations, not afterthoughts

Why top hotels like Rosewood, Aman, Upper House and Il Pellicano have taken their lobby boutiques upmarket – plus 5 to visit on your next trip.

China consumption

Pandora, Swarovski shrink China footprint amid shifting consumer preferences

In the first quarter, China’s gold consumption reached 303.3 metric tons, up 4.4 per cent year on year.

Malaysia

Why Malaysia’s tourism boom lives and dies on a Chinese app

RedNote has made Malaysia a must-visit for Chinese tourists, but it can dismantle reputations just as fast as it builds them.

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A woman holds her smartphone displaying the Chinese social networking and e-commerce app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu. Photo: AFP
China consumption

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.

A man walks past a Taobao and Tmall display at the Alibaba office in Beijing. Photo: AFP
Retailing

Xtep opens first Saucony store in Hong Kong, eyes more premium retail sites

Chinese sportswear group positions premium running brand in Hong Kong as improving market sentiment draws retailers back to prime sites.

Electric & new energy vehicles

How 156 new car models could trigger a ‘do-or-die’ crisis in China’s EV market

A record wave of launches – mostly EVs – threatens to overwhelm demand, forcing smaller players into a fight for survival.

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United States

US inflation rises to 3-year high, spending picks up

The numbers are likely to keep pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates this year.

Consumers shop for meat in Chicago, Illinois in May. Photo: via AFP
Food and Drinks

1 in 5 coffees sold in Europe contains pesticides: report

The report also warned that the ‘standard reassurance’ given by companies – that residues are destroyed by roasting – is not always true.

Some pesticides used on coffee crops include banned sprays that cause cancer. Photo: dpa
Malaysia

Video | Dirt-cheap ‘durian tsunami’ sweeps Malaysia

The oversupply of premium Musang King durians has caused prices to fall to as low as 9 ringgit (US$2) per kg.

China consumption

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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