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.
Brands like Bakehouse have been identified as thriving in Hong Kong’s slumping restaurant and retail market, taking over previously empty commercial spaces. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong economy

A recipe for success? Why some food places thrive in Hong Kong, but others fail

As traditional chains battle to survive, more modern brands are thriving amid shifting preferences, as consumers seek out fresh concepts.

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China manufacturing

Pop Mart wanted to be China’s Disney. Now, it’s thinking bigger, CEO says

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Hong Kong tourism

Opinion | Hong Kong must ensure tourism works for both visitors and locals

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US-China relations

Labubu, soft power of a stealthy ‘ugly-cute’ sort, takes on America

The Chinese-made dolls, a playful global megahit, give Beijing an opportunity to make inroads into deep US distrust.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong economy

‘Hometown flavours’ on menu at popular Hong Kong shopping festival

Zone with specialties and cultural elements from 10 mainland provinces and cities added to Hong Kong Brands and Products Shopping Festival.

Food and agriculture

China cuts back on pork as excess hog supply drives down prices

Agricultural officials will take steps to reduce the country’s breeding stocks as price drops for pork, poultry and duck put farmers under pressure.

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Accidents and disasters in China

China sets out ethical guidelines for autonomous driving technology

Science ministry says algorithms, models and other tech-related content must be clearly documented and accessible for inspection.

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Pony.ai is among robotaxi operators conducting pilot programmes in Chinese cities. Beijing says innovations in the autonomous driving sector must “fully consider public values and ethical concerns”. Photo: Xinhua
Banking & finance

Pop Mart sues 7-Eleven stores in US for alleged Labubu trademark infringements

Convenience stores allegedly sell fake Labubu toys and products, hurting its business and reputation, Pop Mart says in California lawsuit.

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High Jewellery

All that glitters: brands are betting big on gold jewellery amid price surges

Amid market turmoil and tariff threats, gold is seen as a safe bet – and its prices reflect that; but luxury brands and independent designers are feeling the effects differently.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla seeks a comeback in China with refreshed Model 3 and Model Y

Carmaker expects to begin delivering the models to mainland customers as early as September.

People check Tesla Model Y cars in Beijing. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

Would you like a handbag with that latte? Luxury brands in China think so

Can international fashion and luxury groups counter a sales decline by opening coffee shops in major cities?

Luxury house LVMH operates a cafe and dining space in The Louis in HKRI Taikoo Hui in Shanghai. Photo: Handout
China GDP

As China’s economy beats expectations, why workers continue to carry the burden

GDP growth is on pace to meet leadership’s goal for China, but a stubborn property slump, trade complications and deflationary pressure persist.

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China property

Shangri-La luxury brand lures Chinese tourists with unique cultural experiences

‘Affluent Chinese travellers, particularly millennials and Gen Z in mainland China, are reshaping the meaning of luxury,’ hotelier says.

China consumption

‘The American dream has faded’: how Jeep reached the end of the road in China

Chinese consumers have rapidly turned away from the iconic US brand, leading to plunging sales, spiking debts and a historic bankruptcy.

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The Jeep Grand Cherokee was highly coveted among Chinese consumers in the 2010s, but sales have fallen off a cliff in recent years. Photo: TNS
E-commerce

China’s market regulator summons Alibaba, Meituan, JD amid delivery war

The meeting follows months of fierce competition, during which the companies offered a blizzard of food delivery discounts to win over users.

A a food delivery rider in Beijing. Photo: AP
China consumption

China pledges more consumption incentives to service the service sector

Commerce minister says ‘shortage’ of high-quality service opportunities limits consumption, vows to tap foreign investment.

E-commerce

Meituan executive bemoans ‘irrational’ price war with Alibaba, JD.com

Comments come as the three rivals offer increasingly hefty discounts in a heated battle for market share.

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Timepieces

Swatch says profit plunge ‘exclusively attributable’ to declining sales in China

The Swiss watchmaking group has been contending for more than a year with falling demand for watches in China and Hong Kong.

A Swatch store in New York. Photo: EPA
China consumption

‘Actionable results’ needed to get Chinese spending again, No 4 official says

On the same day China’s political advisory body called for a national discussion to solve the domestic-demand conundrum, Premier Li Qiang also pushed for measures to spur spending.

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Smartphones

Huawei becomes China’s top smartphone seller for the first time in 4 years: IDC

Tech giant holds 18.1 per cent share of the mainland’s market in the second quarter, but shipments fall 3.4 per cent to 12.5 million units.

Banking & finance

Labubu maker Pop Mart expects first-half profit jump of at least 350%

Beijing-based firm attributes first-half growth to the increased global recognition of the Pop Mart brand and its intellectual properties.

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A Pop Mart pop-up store in Bangkok. Photo: AFP
Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Go with the flow: Hong Kong consumer watchdog posts portable fan performance gaps

Study of products shows disparity in airflow and battery life, as well as concerns over ‘inadequate’ safety manuals.

The Consumer Council tested 16 handheld and two neck-mounted products and found a wide variance in performance. Photo: Elson Li
Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong man, 80, talked into 5½-year phone plan costing 6 times usual bill

Consumer Council warns that elderly residents are among vulnerable targets of those using predatory telecommunications sales tactics.

E-commerce

Alibaba delivers 80 million orders in 1 day amid price war

Meituan, Taobao, Ele.me and JD.com shower consumers with freebies and promotions, leaving customers gleeful and merchants overwhelmed.

China economy

Opinion | For Chinese firms going out, global success requires truly ‘going in’

Beyond great products and service, building a trusted brand requires Chinese firms to integrate into, not just occupy, foreign markets.

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The signing ceremony, captured online, as BYD buys a 20 per cent stake in its Thailand distributor, Rever Automotive, on July 7, 2024. Photo: Weibo
E-commerce

Meituan’s daily orders hit record 150 million amid rivalry with JD.com, Alibaba

Daily delivery volumes at the mainland’s top on-demand delivery giant reached 150 million from 120 million last week.

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Meituan food delivery workers promote meal discounts in Chongqing, China. Photo: Getty Images
China property

Opinion | Why China can’t make a clean break from reliance on land and property

There is no lack of reform ambition but there will be no clean break: the old system persists because no fully functional alternative exists.

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Smartphones

Samsung bets on AI foldable phones to challenge Apple, Chinese rivals

The South Korean giant lost its global smartphone crown to Apple in 2023, and faces growing competition from Huawei and Honor.

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