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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.
Two elderly people in Beijing on June 1. Photo: EPA
China’s private sector

China is fretting over a demographic crisis – but what companies might benefit?

Goldman Sachs says pharmaceutical, biotech sectors could see strongest tailwinds, while car industry, tech hardware makers may struggle.

European Union

Opinion | Europe was happy with the trade rules – until China’s industrial rise

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Walmart

After Beijing’s food-safety warning, will Sam’s Club slow its expansion?

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China travel

A phone away from home: China urged to provide rental handsets to aid tourists

A think tank says low-end handsets, rentable at border checkpoints and pre-installed with local apps, could narrow ‘digital divide’ for visitors.

Russian visitors in Shanghai. A think tank is urging authorities to provide inbound visitors with app-loaded local phones to make easier payments in China as their own overseas devices often lack those tools. Photo: Xinhua
Wellness

When did fro-yo become cool again? Ask Gen Z

Paris Hilton loved Pinkberry back in the day, now former Starbucks head Howard Schultz is advising Mimi’s in Manhattan – here’s why fro-yo is making a comeback.

China consumption

China’s e-commerce platforms help unlock global markets for South Korean brands

China’s cross-border platforms, which sell to millions of shoppers, are acting as a low-cost route to overseas customers in several regions.

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China travel

Why are foreign travellers racing to China for the June Dragon Boat holiday?

Chinese travel platforms have logged a big jump in bookings by inbound tourists over the holiday, as global interest in Chinese festivals rises.

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Dragon boat crews take part in a waterborne parade in Tongren, southwest China’s Guizhou province, ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Photo: Xinhua
China consumption

‘People are more cautious’: has China lost its appetite for shopping festivals?

The shopping bonanza used to see mountains of packages pile up on street corners, but orders have dwindled amid China’s economic slowdown.

China’s private sector

Can Pop Mart sustain the Labubu juggernaut as China sales cool?

Analysts warn of rising sales pressure as China demand tapers off, even as Pop Mart bets on new launches and overseas growth.

Food delivery apps

China proposes ban on ‘irrational’ food-delivery subsidies to end price wars

Regulators target predatory pricing and merchant coercion, with new rules requiring that tech giants disclose subsidy data and not disrupt the market.

Food-delivery riders for Meituan sit on scooters while waiting for orders at a street intersection in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Photo: Getty Images
China’s private sector

Global brands in China seek local partners amid market squeeze

Slower consumer spending and cutthroat competition are pushing global brands such as Pizza Hut and Starbucks to reshape their China business.

A Pizza Hut restaurant in Jinan, Shandong province. Photo: Handout
Singapore

Is the ‘Singapore brand’ losing its shine in China’s food scene?

Analysts say Singapore’s F&B firms can no longer rely on earlier strengths that made them stand out, given the growing competition.

China-France relations

China’s Shein to be ousted from Paris store after other brands flee

New BHV Marais owners say Chinese fast-fashion heavyweight should leave by Christmas after brands pulled out in protest.

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China’s private sector

Yum China rolls out the dough for mainland’s Pizza Huts in US$1.2b deal

Though the acquisition would mean full ownership of the restaurant brand in mainland China, the company’s stock price fell after the announcement.

Once the transaction closes, Yum China will transition from Pizza Hut’s exclusive licensee in mainland China to the brand’s owner. Photo: Shutterstock
China travel

China is cruising to become the world’s top tourism market, analysts say

Visa waivers for over 70 countries and an increase in domestic travel may mean Chinese tourism overtakes the US in market size, analysts say.

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Italian tourists (front) pose for a selfie at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. Photo: Xinhua
United States

What foreign brands still win over Chinese shoppers?

Localised strategies and high-quality reputations help products from Japan, Switzerland, South Korea and the US build consumer affinity.

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Regulation

Video | Sam’s Club executives summoned over food safety in China

Members-only food chain has faced complaints in China about rats and maggots found in its products.

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China consumption

China credit data shows demand dip, household deleveraging amid weak investment

But while traditional industries are mired in a downturn, hi-tech firms look to expand – many through direct financing.

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People walk along a street in Shanghai on Tuesday. Households in China are showing a weak appetite for taking on debt. Photo: EPA
Fashion

Gildo Zegna on the past and future of his family’s menswear label – interview

His priorities now include growing markets like the US and Middle East, and promoting deeper engagement through initiatives like the roving private members’ club Villa Zegna.

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Watchdog urges clearer terms as complaints about hotels near 1,000 annually

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council says hotels and online platforms should clearly spell out policies for refunds and booking changes.

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Claw machine operators told to get a grip on player complaints after 760% jump

Consumer Council data shows number of grievances involving claw machines has risen from 16 to 138 over three years.

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A man tries his luck at a claw machine outlet in Mong Kok. Photo: Dickson Lee
China consumption

China summons executives of Walmart-owned Sam’s Club over ‘food-safety issues’

Members-only supermarket chain urged to ‘strictly fulfil’ its corporate responsibilities.

A Sam’s Club store in Shanghai. Photo: Shutterstock
Mainland China

World Cup kicks China’s summer travel market into extra time

From private-box tickets in Houston to luxury hotel viewing suites in China, football fans are driving a boom in travel and hospitality.

China’s private sector

Natural diamond firms turn to blockchain traceability amid lab-grown competition

The Gemological Institute of America is set to acquire a stake in Tracr, which has developed a blockchain platform to trace diamond origin.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

EVs capture two-thirds of China’s car market in record-breaking week

Despite subsidy cuts, electric vehicles reached a new sales milestone in mainland China as petrol-powered rivals continued to lose ground.

Visitors inspect a BYD Seagull at this year's Auto China in Beijing. Electric vehicles accounted for a record 66.7 per cent of new car sales in mainland China during the first week of June. Photo: Reuters
China trade

China’s BYD challenges iconic auto giants as hybrid demand surges in Germany

A three-fold jump in BYD’s German registrations highlights shift towards lower-tariff models, as company chairman says ‘the worst is over’.

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A hybrid vehicle is seen at a BYD showroom in Beijing earlier this year. The Chinese company’s hybrid models are selling increasingly well in Germany. Photo: AP
E-commerce

As 618 shopping frenzy grows, Beijing warns e-commerce giants over price tactics

Officials summoned Alibaba, JD.com, Pinduoduo, Douyin and RedNote over marketing practices, underscoring official concern about subsidy wars.

Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD powers past Geely as oil shock charges up global EV demand

Strong overseas demand for battery-powered cars helped BYD recover from a first-quarter setback and retake pole position.

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