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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.
Shanghai welcomed a record-high 220,000 spectators for the Chinese Grand Prix last month. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's economic recovery

How showpiece sports events offer China big rewards in hard times

The game is on as local authorities across country try to capitalise on interest in all things sport – an area in which consumers are willing to splash extra cash.

China trade

French flock to Chinese e-commerce bargains, hunt for ‘agent Taobao’ to deliver

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Wealth management

Smell of success: fresh Malaysian durians are taking bite out of China’s market

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Durians in China

China’s durian determination yields golden home-grown bounty in Hainan

Tropical Hainan province has defied sceptics and rewarded investors with China-grown durian, but it ‘simply cannot compete’ with booming imports from Southeast Asia.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Hong Kong economy

Mainland tourists eye US goods in Hong Kong amid trade war, but few buy: retailers

Retail businesses in the city report slow sales during the Easter holiday as Hongkongers opt to travel.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong family’s ‘chaotic’ Coldplay ticket experience prompts watchdog warning

Victim recounts multiple ‘misleading’ conversations with platform Viagogo, waiting in vain outside Kai Tak Stadium during concert.

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Hong Kong property

Exclusive | Hong Kong pharmacy to become latest tenant on Russell Street amid rent slump

Annual rent in Causeway Bay shopping district has declined 46 per cent on average between 2018 and 2024, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

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A pharmacy will take over the space in this four-storey building on Russell Street, agents say. Photo: Nora Tam
United States

Opinion | Why the cowed silence amid Trump’s attacks on global trade and stability?

Many nations are avoiding confrontation due to caution or pragmatism. But this risks encouraging further actions that could destabilise the global order.

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US-China trade war

TikTok to the rescue? China’s factories go viral as US tariffs drive up prices

With tariffs at record levels, mainland suppliers to US market get creative – but industry insiders remain cautious as duties bite.

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Automotive industry

BYD prices new SUV at aggressive US$18,300 to attract young consumers

BYD slashed the price of the Titanium 3, which includes its new advanced driver assistance system, at the last minute, capitalising on Tesla’s China challenges.

BYD launches the Titanium 3 electric SUV under its Fang Cheng Bao brand in Shenzhen on April 16. Photo: Handout
China economy

Editorial | China’s domestic demand is a key weapon in fight against Trump tariffs

First-quarter GDP growth beat expectations, but in longer term, China must boost local economy and forge new trade deals around the world.

Shoppers visit in a mall in Beijing. Photo: AP
Singapore general election 2025

Trump tariffs don’t worry Singaporean voters. Here’s what matters more to them

Domestic issues and more perspectives in parliament likely to be on voters’ minds for next month’s election, analysts say.

US-China trade war

With US-China decoupling closer than ever, firms are reshaping supply chains

With full US-China decoupling looking closer than ever – though not a certainty – suppliers are rapidly evaluating their relationships and options.

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US-China trade war

Exclusive | Trump tariffs could make China’s domestic economy stronger in long run: insider

Chinese economy is better prepared this time around compared to the last trade war with the US, an insider said.

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A container ship at Lianyungang port in China’s eastern province of Jiangsu on Sunday. Photo: AFP
China property

Swire Properties bullish on mainland China despite tariff war’s pall

Hong Kong developer says it is on the hunt for retail investments in Shenzhen amid the ‘onshoring’ of consumption, CEO says.

People walk through Swire Properties’ Taikoo Li Chengdu. Photo: Swire Properties
Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong consumer watchdog finds 27.4% gap in air con energy efficiency

Consumer Council tests 12 models of inverter split-type air conditioners, says Daikin has highest electric bill savings.

Retailing

Chinese toymaker Pop Mart’s shares jump as global expansion plans take shape

Company plans to set up offices in Greater China, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, brings in former executive to oversee some markets.

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Japan

Fading optimism in Japan as only 13% satisfied with quality of life: survey

Experts say a deepening sense of crisis has overwhelmed young Japanese amid rising living costs, demographic strain and political inertia.

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People walk past an electronic screen displaying share prices outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Trump tariffs fuel calls for Japan to slash unpopular consumption tax

Rising inflation and Trump’s trade war have raised concerns about how ordinary Japanese will weather the storm.

China GDP

‘Open door red’ to ‘summer blue’: will second quarter slam China’s GDP again?

Recent years have seen China’s economic growth decelerate in the second quarter – a pattern that threatens to continue this summer amid an intensifying trade war.

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United States

Explainer | Cars, clothing, Christmas toys: what US consumers are losing to Trump’s tariffs

Trump’s tariff pause provides temporary relief, but uncertainty may lead to US shortages of cars, toys, and electronics as shipments are halted.

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US tariffs are causing firms to halt shipments, from Swiss watches to Christmas toys. Uncertainty looms, potentially emptying American shelves. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China trade war

China launches all-out effort to boost consumption as US trade war boils over

Local authorities roll out more supportive policies as commentators urge officials to ‘strengthen people’s confidence’.

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China is striving to convince consumers to open their wallets as it tries to mitigate the impact of an intensifying trade war with the United States. Photo: AP
China consumption

China’s sci-fi industry shoots for stars as Beijing pushes ‘quality’ growth

With successes like The Three-Body Problem, the genre has never been more popular – and authorities have taken note.

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South Korea

‘I can’t go back to US sunscreens’: panicked Americans snap up items from Asia

Consumers are also stockpiling dried seaweed, hair bundles for wigs, cat food and wedding gowns.

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China property

Luxury malls in China adjust to market reality amid dip in consumer spending

Mall vacancy rates in Beijing stood at 10.6 per cent last year and 9.5 per cent in Shanghai, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

The Shanghai K11 shopping centre is cutting rents to keep tenants in place. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong society

3 arrested over fraud after watching Coldplay concert in Hong Kong without tickets

Concertgoers also file 22 complaints about obstructed views, claiming they were not told about the problem in advance.

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Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin performs at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on April 9. Photo: Harvey Kong
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla halts importing Model S and X in China as buyers balk at tariffs

Tesla has stopped taking orders to import the US-made models to China; to persuade buyers to consider the Shanghai-made Model Y and Model 3.

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US-China trade war

China’s exporters on edge as trade war casts shadow over Canton Fair

China’s oldest and largest trade fair unlikely to be a bonanza as exporters prepare for lean times amid tariff-induced uncertainty.

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