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.
Home-grown fashion houses like Songmont pay tribute to Chinese culture. Photo: Handout
Luxury brands

Eastern aesthetics go global with Chinese brands like Songmont and Bosideng

From Paris flagships to viral social media debuts, Chinese creators are leveraging quiet luxury design, direct-to-consumer strategies, and rich cultural resonance to build international footprints.

China’s private sector

Labubu meets LVMH: Pop Mart to open its first European flagship store in Paris

videocam
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong restaurant prosecuted after live newborn rat found in takeaway food

videocam
5
Chinese culture

China targets youth with plan to revamp ‘outdated’ heritage products as ‘trendy’

Heritage is the latest sector targeted by authorities, following similar efforts in the sports, winter tourism and nightlife industries.

A staff member makes a herbal drink at the Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou province. Photo: Xinhua
Travel

‘Ultimate luxury’: why fashion houses are building branded residences

From Thailand to Turkey, labels like Etro and Karl Lagerfeld are wooing wealthy buyers looking to do more than just wear their brands.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Why are EV battery makers’ profits nearly double that of industry’s carmakers?

Leading electric vehicle battery makers’ profits by far outpace the industry’s carmakers in first half.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China consumption

Open Questions | Better social security is key to fixing China’s unbalanced economy: Lan Xiaohuan

The bestselling author also discusses how recent geopolitical events are shaping China and makes the case for a social safety net.

videocam
7
Illustration: Henry Wong
Hong Kong economy

Dairy Queen to return to Hong Kong with 4 stores. Is it scooping up cheap rents?

American ice cream chain says flagship store to open in Causeway Bay in November, followed by three other outlets across city.

4
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmaker Chery to begin testing solid-state EV batteries next year

Chairman says it plans to invest US$1.49 billion in the new battery technology over the next two years.

China's economic recovery

Beijing bets on a US$1 trillion sports boom to revive consumption, job market

China is looking to leverage fitness and events to stimulate local economies, as new five-year blueprint aims to nearly double the economic output of the athletic sector.

10
Fans of Team Yangzhou celebrate a goal during a football match against Team Nanjing on August 15. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong bars, restaurants take on more floor space, boost novelty offerings

More food and beverage outlets ‘incorporating unique experiential elements into the dining journey’, says CBRE’s Lawrence Wan.

Ninetta, a new restaurant run by three Italian hospitality veterans, opened in Central this year. Photo: May Tse
Commodities

Why younger investors worldwide are stashing physical gold despite price swings

Gen Z buyers are driving demand for bullion, spurred by geopolitical tensions, inflation and the appeal of owning gold outright.

United States

Sam’s Club to expand faster in China as members pass 10.7 million

Company to open 13 new stores this year, bringing total to 76, as value prices and exclusive goods prove to be a winning formula.

Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD, Leapmotor buck EV market slowdown as pressure piles up on small rivals

China’s leading EV makers saw sales surge in August, with BYD up 17.8 per cent from last year and Leapmotor up 80.7 per cent.

videocam
A Z Convertible EV from BYD luxury brand Denza at the company’s booth at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Beijing issues guidelines for Chinese carmakers to curb discount wars overseas

New rules signal push for sustainable expansion as Chinese EV makers pursue long-term gains and influence in global markets.

videocam
An electric vehicle assembly line in Chongqing, southwestern China. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong property

Hot property: Big banks, fashion stores seek ‘cheaper’ top Hong Kong retail

HSBC to open its first flagship operation at the Capitol Centre, where market sources say the rent is much lower than its previous tenancy.

videocam
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong retail sales rise 4.5% in July, marking 15th straight month of growth

Retail sales value for the month reaches HK$31 billion, with momentum remaining ‘resilient’.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China manufacturing

China’s factory activity improves in August, but stays in contraction

The PMI index was up last month to 49.8 from 49.2 in July, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.

A worker assembles a carbon fibre bicycle at a production workshop in China’s Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua
Smartphones

Huawei, Apple bend to the market with foldable phones in September

A new foldable iPhone and the Mate XT 2 are coming as analysts predict a double-digit plunge in smartphone shipments this year.

Wellness

No bulk, all strength: how creatine can help women boost performance

Long linked with men’s bodybuilding, the supplement is now proven to boost women’s health – even Balenciaga is getting in on the action.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese authorities tell carmakers to focus on quality, not tech offerings

Vice-minister says that to ensure safety, new technologies that fail to pass stricter approval procedures will be barred from market.

videocam
20
The cockpit of a Xiaomi SU7 EV. Photo: Shutterstock
China exports

From air conditioners to taps, Europe’s climate extremes boost China sales

Chinese makers of low-flow taps, garden gear and insulated drinkware are seeing European orders surge as heatwaves and drought reshape demand.

videocam
8
Europe’s heatwaves and deepening drought are reshaping daily water use – and creating demand for Chinese-made water-saving products. Photo: EPA
Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD posts US$1.2 billion profit in second quarter on surging global demand

The Chinese EV giant beat market estimates in the second quarter, as booming exports helped offset a prolonged decline in the domestic market.

videocam
5
China consumption

‘On-the-ground exports’: Shanghai turns to foreign tourists to boost consumption

Inbound visitors are considered a low-cost initiative to address the nation’s consumption figures.

9
China consumption

Takeaway boom, new brands make up winning mix for Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao

Takeaway emerges as Haidilao’s fastest-growing segment as it diversifies its formats, expands into lower-tier markets despite a soft economy.

videocam
Haidilao’s upbeat results come against a weak macroeconomic backdrop and fierce competition in China’s catering sector. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong stock market

Amos Food hungry for Hong Kong capital to expand global sweets empire

The confectionery firm’s Peelerz gummies have become a viral sensation on TikTok. Now, it aims to raise funds to expand its overseas presence.

Chinese confectionery giant Amos Food has seen its sweet brands go viral on TikTok and other social media platforms. Photo: Handout
Australia

In Australia, Disney’s Ooshies send Woolworths whooshing ahead of Coles

The major grocers are fighting to lure shoppers at a time when cost-of-living pressures and discount scandals are fuelling consumer anger.

Food and Drinks

Chocolate’s bean-to-bar boom, from Asian flavours to single-origin cacao

Artisanal brands like Marou, Dandelion, Pump Street and Fossa are among the makers championing traceable cacao, bold flavours and small-batch craft.

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