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.
A Tesla vehicle on display at a Beijing showroom. Deliveries from the carmaker’s Shanghai plant hit a 2026 high in May. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla’s China sales surge to 2026 high, but rivals crowd the rear-view mirror

Tesla’s China sales rebounded in May on financing incentives and stronger demand, but local competitors are gaining momentum.

Architecture and design

Marcel Wanders: from knotted chairs to Moooi’s new Shanghai showroom – interview

China’s private sector

The big scoop: lemon tea chain to revamp Haagen-Dazs’ struggling China business

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong retail sales rise 8.6% in April, but ‘full recovery has yet to emerge’

Retail sales for first four months of 2026 up 11.3 per cent from the same period last year.

People at a shopping centre in Mong Kok. Photo: Karma Lo
Smartphones

Huawei to ship more units as price surges dent China’s smartphone sales: report

As higher memory prices raise costs for China’s handset makers, a research firm predicted Huawei would be the only domestic brand to increase shipments.

Gen Z

Birthday parties at premium gyms? How Gen Z ditched drinking for wellness

Millennials may have embraced athleisure, but wellness is an identity for Gen Z – and gyms are their social clubs.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China property

Food Republic joins wave of foreign brands retreating in China

Singaporean operator leaves capital after 25 years as food court model loses favour amid rise of food delivery, shopping-mall evolution.

4
Following the Beijing closure, only four Food Republics will remain in China, all in Shanghai. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers recover in May but competition fierce amid overcapacity woes

Consumer willingness to embrace new tech, along with cash subsidies from local governments, gave the EV sector a much-needed boost.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s BYD aims for zero accidents with ‘God’s Eye’, vows crash cost coverage

EV giant pushes affordable autonomy with its system, aiming to make self-driving safer and accessible to mass-market consumers.

7
United States

US key inflation gauge worsens, eroding Americans’ income, spending power

Inflation of 3.8 per cent in April was the highest since May 2023 amid high petrol prices and food costs.

Supermarket shoppers in Chicago, the US earlier this month. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
China food security

China hog prices, near decade low, seen squeezing profits amid deflation risks

Ministry data reveals nine-month slump in breeding stocks while top-listed companies face big financial hits as rising fuel and grain costs erode margins.

videocam
A pig is seen in China’s Hunan province. The price of live pigs in the country remains near a decade low. Photo: SCMP
China’s private sector

A new battlefront for KFC and its Chinese rivals: the lighter meal

Big-name fast-food chains are seeking to capitalise on a surge in demand in China for lighter meals.

Banking & finance

Millions of Chinese consumers ditch their credit cards amid weak retail spending

Banks report there are 120 million fewer active credit cards in China with 687 million customer accounts, a dramatic drop from 2022’s peak.

videocam
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong to see more mainland Chinese brands enter retail market, analysts say

In the first four months of the year, more than one fifth of new entrants in the city’s retail market were mainland brands, according to JLL.

4
Last year, Mao Geping Cosmetics opened its first outlet in Hong Kong at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Li Cao
Fashion

Chinese fast-fashion juggernaut Shein to buy eco-friendly Everlane

The ‘jarring’ takeover bid arrives at a time when Everlane is struggling with weak sales and higher debt.

videocam
Chinese fast fashion heavyweight Shein is buying Everlane for an undisclosed price. The deal comes as Everlane is struggling. Photo: AP
United States

US jobless claims fall as lay-offs remain low despite economic uncertainty

Despite historically low lay-offs, the labour market appears to be stuck in what economists call a ‘low-hire, low-fire’ state.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s Chery plans for 1m EVs sold abroad amid global energy crisis

Anhui-based carmaker anticipates 27 per cent increase in foreign deliveries in 2026 as battery ranges improve and oil prices rise.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s Nio slams EV price wars as costs surge, defying cuts by rival Li Auto

Nio and Li Auto take different approach to pricing new models, with one executive praising ‘reasonable’ carmakers that raise prices.

A Li Auto L9 is displayed at the auto show in Beijing on April 24. Photo: AFP
China consumption

China’s unexpected retail slowdown shows Hormuz strains

Retail sales growth slumped in April, industrial output cooled and fixed-asset investments tumbled as high oil prices hit China’s economy.

Hong Kong property

Fresh concepts lift Hong Kong retail property as tourists and consumers return

Landlords betting on a diversified tenant mix – from pop-ups to ‘sportainment’ – to sustain growth in retail property market, analysts say.

China travel

China’s hotel sector shines, poised to outperform through 2026 on strong demand

International hotel chains ride China’s travel rebound, posting gains as domestic demand and inbound flows strengthen.

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan by Hilton. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Oil shock fuels BEVs to 9 of top 10 in sales, with China brands overtaking Tesla

Battery EVs take nine of top 10 sales spots amid surging oil prices, giving local brands the edge and pushing Tesla down April charts.

Geely vehicles are on display at Auto France in Paris on April 28. Photo: Reuters
Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Top-rated air cons in Hong Kong vary by 33% in cooling efficiency, watchdog finds

Models tested included seven reverse-cycle air conditioners, while rest were cooling-only units.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Emmanuel Perrin, Panerai CEO, on its watches’ maritime heritage

The brand has long worked with the Italian Navy – resulting in ‘big, tough, functional watches’ that appeal to Sylvester Stallone and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Airport Authority takes over 11 Skies retail from New World: sources

Authority says it continues to communicate closely with New World about 11 Skies project, and is going ‘full steam’ ahead with development.

11 Skies at Skycity near Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok. Photo: Karma Lo
Indonesia

Why Indonesia is expanding under-16 social media ban to e-commerce

The plan aims to protect children from online scams and impulse buying, but experts say it could be a major compliance test for platforms.

videocam
Indonesia’s social media ban for children has been effective since March 28. Photo: AP
United States

US consumer inflation jumps as Iran war sends energy prices higher

Inflation had been dropping more or less steadily since peaking with a 9.1 per cent year-over-year spike in prices in June 2022.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Tiffany & Co. brings New York flair to Hong Kong’s Lee Gardens

The American jewellery house’s CEO and president Anthony Ledru on how the city’s vibrant hospitality culture makes Hong Kong a priority for the brand.

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