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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.
Buyers browse household electrical appliances at the 139th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, in Guangdong province on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
China trade

Record-setting Canton Fair under Middle East cloud as costs hit China’s exports

Manufacturers and buyers offer on-the-ground perspectives at China’s largest trade exhibition, swapping stories and predictions amid massive turnout.

United States

Ticketmaster owner Live Nation ran illegal monopoly, US jury finds

Malaysia

Malaysians urged to tighten their belts as Iran war fallout starts to bite

China’s private sector

Chinese firms drawn to Brazil as they seek anchor for Latin America expansion

Chinese brands like Mixue, BYD, and Geely are surging into Brazil, leveraging strong trade ties and local strategies for growth.

Chinese ice cream and beverage chain Mixue opened its first Brazilian store in Sao Paulo, on April 11, 2026. Photo: Reuters
China’s private sector

China’s tea-drink shops thirst for profits as price wars dry up prospects

‘I am learning a hard lesson of how involution can destroy my business,’ a Shanghai shop operator says.

European Union

Ireland police remove farmers, blockades protesting against fuel price rises

The protests have led to blockades at Ireland’s only oil refinery and prevented tanker trucks from delivering fuel to petrol stations.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Hyundai spearheads foreign EV comeback push in China with Ioniq brand

South Korean carmaker bets on local partnerships and technology as global brands prepare fresh push into China’s fast-moving EV market.

The new cars will be “shaped specifically for the Chinese market, integrating local technologies and partnerships”, according to Hyundai. Photo: Handout
United States

Popeyes returns to Beijing after 24 years, as global chains eye China growth

Brand aims to open up to 20 stores in Beijing this year after ‘two years of exploration’, mostly in Shanghai, to perfect its model, CEO says.

China inflation

China’s factory-gate prices rise for first time in 3 years as Iran war bites

The producer price index rose by 0.5 per cent in March, the first increase since 2022, as soaring global commodity prices affected Chinese firms.

Banking & finance

Yiwu market owner eyes Hong Kong IPO to support overseas expansion

Hong Kong listing plan comes after the company reported net profit of 4.2 billion yuan for 2025, up 36.8 per cent from a year earlier.

A shop owner holds a toy depicting US President Donald Trump at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, Zhejiang province on April 10, 2025. Photo: AFP
Fashion

Feng Chen Wang on 10 years in fashion and ‘Chinamaxxing’ before it was cool

The Chinese-born designer, who had Virgil Abloh as a mentor, just celebrated her brand’s 10th year at Shanghai Fashion Week.

Feng Chen Wang’s spring/summer 2026 campaign. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Volkswagen tests China’s appetite for locally developed EVs

The three models, which will be launched over the next two weeks, use technology developed by Volkswagen’s Chinese partners.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmakers bet on solid-state batteries to drive next EV phase

Carmakers push next-generation battery tech as they chase longer range and improved safety, despite high costs.

The Philippines

Why high fuel costs could accelerate the Philippines’ EV boom

Vietnam’s VinFast is seizing the moment by offering incentives for drivers to make the switch from petrol-powered vehicles to electric.

A person on an electric scooter passes a jeepney at a transport terminal in Quezon City on March 19. The Philippines is grappling with a national energy emergency triggered by the war in Iran. Photo: EPA
Electric & new energy vehicles

More foreign marques face a do-or-die moment as Chinese buyers shun petrol cars

Following Skoda’s exit from China, other carmakers with falling sales are also likely to close shop this year, analysts say.

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Skoda, Volkswagen’s mass-market brand, shut down its Chinese operations this year. Photo: AFP
China consumption

China’s luxury spending seen boosting global sales in 2026 despite headwinds

Affluent Chinese consumers are expected to splurge, though a volatile property market and oil price shocks pose challenges, analysts say.

Tianjin

Japanese chains lose ground in north China as competition and deflation bite

Store closures in Beijing and Tianjin highlight mounting pressure from domestic rivals amid shifting consumer habits.

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Hong Kong society

Letters | Hong Kong consumers need not be at sea when it comes to oysters

Readers discuss safety when processing and consuming oysters, the handling of an incident on the MTR’s East Rail line, and school classroom management.

Fresh oysters on sale at a food court in Causeway Bay on February 14. Photo: Nora Tam
Food and agriculture

China to boost frozen pork reserves as hog prices tumble to multi-year troughs

The national average hog price fell to an eight-year low of 10.68 yuan per kg in the fourth week of March.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla outraces China’s BYD in pure electric car sales to regain world’s top spot

Shrinking subsidies, new taxes sap China’s EV demand, giving Tesla an edge in global deliveries for first time since fourth quarter of 2024.

Hong Kong stock market

China’s Pop Mart struggles despite buy-backs as Labubu reliance sparks concerns

Toymaker’s shares have fallen nearly 50 per cent since February as investors weigh slowing overseas growth and dependence on flagship line.

Pop Mart has stepped up efforts to support its share price through buy-backs. Photo: Getty Images
Electric & new energy vehicles

Leapmotor targets global growth with Europe R&D hub, eyes Canada assembly

Chinese EV maker lifts overseas sales target as rising fuel costs and easing tariffs boost demand abroad.

A Leapmotor C10 model car is displayed at a showroom in its headquarters in Hangzhou. Photo: Getty Images
China’s private sector

Splashing out: how much would you expect to pay for LV’s latest quirky man bag?

Offbeat designs may not drive sales, but they sharpen brand identity and attract individuality-seeking buyers, analysts say.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China EV makers surge back in March as subsidies and financing spur demand

Carmakers report strong month-on-month gains as policy support and new financing schemes lift buyer sentiment.

The Philippines

The Iran war could be forcing Filipinos to rely on credit cards. Here’s why

Analysts warn credit card use could increase further to partly cope with higher prices and reduced disposable incomes.

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A pedestrian reads a sign at a petrol station in Tacloban City, Leyte province, central Philippines on Monday. Photo: AFP
China inflation

China has ‘room’ for imported inflation, but economic risks rising: PBOC adviser

As US-Israel war with Iran sends prices up, a monetary expert says impact on China depends on conflict’s severity, while higher energy costs are worrying.

Drivers line up to refuel at a petrol station in China’s Jiangsu province last week, amid concerns about rising energy prices due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Photo: EPA
Fashion

How London brand Chopova Lowena, and its cult carabiner skirt, came to be

Harry Styles, Madonna and Gen Z cool girls all love this viral brand – which is inspired by everything from Bulgarian folklore to rock climbing and Scottish kilts.

China’s private sector

Chinese coffee brands need more than low prices to compete globally: analysts

Luckin, Lucky Cup, Cotti and Nowwa are expanding quickly overseas, but analysts warn success depends on consumer experience and quality.

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