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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.
Protesters hold signs opposing fuel price increases in Manila, the Philippines, on Friday. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

‘It’s really bad’: record fuel prices drive Filipinos off the road

With diesel in the triple digits amid the Iran war, Filipinos brace for a domino effect on rice, electricity and basic household necessities.

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China consumption

Opinion | To unlock consumption, China must go local

Electric & new energy vehicles

Xiaomi’s new-generation SU7 launch sparks fresh EV fight with Tesla in China

China society

Opinion | China’s high household savings reflect old values and new anxieties

Economic uncertainties strengthen the deep cultural instinct for thrift. Policies must address the anxieties that make saving feel necessary.

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Shoppers test sofas outside a mall in Beijing. Retailers in Beijing and other major Chinese cities are increasingly moving product displays into public areas to boost spending. Photo: AP
Electric & new energy vehicles

China presses EV makers to end price war and focus on innovation as demand cools

Oversight of China’s industry intensifies, with carmakers urged to move beyond discounts and focus on chips and self-driving systems.

Apple

Apple’s Tim Cook visits China as reliance on Chinese suppliers endures

Cook shows up at an Apple Store in Chengdu as part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

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Smartphones

Chinese smartphone makers Vivo, Oppo raise prices as memory costs surge

Unable to absorb rising memory-chip prices, popular handset makers are passing on the costs to consumers.

Smartphone prices are rising amid higher memory-chip costs. Photo: Xinhua
China consumption

How record F1 crowds are accelerating Shanghai’s bid to be a global sports hub

Setting a near 20-year attendance record, this year’s race strengthened the city’s case as global event venue – and China’s efforts to spur consumption.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong watchdog warns 24-hour gym users of hidden costs, data privacy risks

Consumer Council urges users to weigh short-term costs and review privacy terms before signing up, with fees and policies varying citywide.

The Philippines

Why Philippines’ Jollibee is Southeast Asia’s lone global food chain

The company is the only Southeast Asian name to make the top tier of a recent list of the world’s strongest restaurant brands, placing fifth.

A Jollibee fast-food restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Lee
Mainland China

Guess says it will shut all mainland China stores amid retail rethink

US fashion brand tells customers it will close all mainland China stores by end of March as analysts cite weak localisation, strategy gaps.

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A Guess outlet in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. After two decades, the fashion outlet says it is calling it quits in mainland China. Photo: Getty Images
China GDP

China’s economy starts 2026 strongly as retail sales, investment rise

Before the Iran energy crisis and latest round of China-US trade talks, retail spending grew 2.8 per cent while fixed-asset investment increased 1.8 per cent.

China property

China mall shuffle: as EVs exit, who’s filling the ground-floor showrooms?

New demand for mall space comes from brands riding fresh trends, including Unitree Robotics, Pop Mart and Lululemon.

Hong Kong

Video | Taiwanese band Mayday angers fans by changing Hong Kong date

The Hong Kong concert scheduled for March 24 was moved to March 29.

Taiwanese band Mayday concert at the Kai Tak Stadium in May, 2025. Photo: handout
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Chow Tai Fook

Bling it on: Chow Tai Fook’s US$115,000 gold AirPods case sparks online buzz

Gold gadgets and hair clips ignite discussion online as the jeweller looks to the ultra-rich to set the gold standard for luxury spending.

Chow Tai Fook’s diamond-studded gold AirPods case is priced at 788,800 yuan. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla’s 91% February sales jump in China defies overall market slowdown

The US carmaker’s Shanghai Gigafactory delivered nearly 58,600 vehicles last month, with the Model Y topping the sales chart.

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Hong Kong economy

Over 170 complaints filed after Mayday shifts Hong Kong show: Consumer Council

Watchdog says 80 complaints came from residents and rest from fans outside city, primarily mainland China.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Geely beats BYD sales in first 2 months of 2026 to become China’s top carmaker

Geely’s sales rise 1 per cent to 476,327 units in January and February, while BYD’s sales slump 38.5 per cent to 400,241 units.

Geely Auto’s sales of EVs jumped 10.1 per cent to 241,740 units in the first two months of the year from a year earlier. Photo: Shutterstock
Beauty

Romi Beauty’s founders on creating multitasking products for Asian skin

Arissa Cheo, Yoyo Cao and Lin Ting sat down with Style as the Singaporean make-up and skincare brand lands at Sephora in Hong Kong.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Nio forecasts surge in deliveries after first quarterly profit

The company’s turnaround highlights resilience in China’s EV market, defying a slowdown that has weighed on most domestic rivals.

Hong Kong entertainment

Sour note for fans after Taiwanese rock band Mayday switches Hong Kong date

Veteran rockers’ show originally scheduled for March 24 cancelled, with new concert added on March 29.

Mayday putting on a show at Kai Tak Stadium last year. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

Philippines’ fuel shock exposes limits of deregulated oil market

Consumer groups say households are left to absorb rising costs as the government rolls out conservation measures and considers fuel tax relief.

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Protesters hold slogans that read “Junk the oil deregulation law” during a rally against the recent big oil price increase on Tuesday outside a petrol station in Quezon City, the Philippines. Photo: AP
Retailing

Middle East tensions add uncertainty to Hong Kong retail rents, Wharf REIC says

The landlord of Harbour City and Times Square says retail recovery remains fragile, with higher mall traffic failing to boost spending.

Paris Fashion Week

Paris Fashion Week 2026: Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel revolution

Blazy’s collection included Chanel’s signature skirt suits in silicone and other synthetic materials, with sequins and floral flourishes.

Malaysia

1 holy month, 1 year’s income: Malaysia’s Ramadan bazaar boom

Rents have doubled, ingredient costs keep climbing, yet for the stallholders at Malaysia’s bazaars, no other month comes close.

Asyraf Ahmad (left) sells drinks at his Ramadan stall after switching his business model from food. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Electric & new energy vehicles

Iran war oil shock accelerates Southeast Asia’s EV revolution

Southeast Asia was already going electric. Then war broke out in the Middle East and it started going faster.

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Electric cars inside BYD’s first EV factory in Thailand. Observers say this year has proved a turning point for EV uptake across Southeast Asia. Photo: Reuters
China property

China’s shoppers head for suburban outlets, a bright spot in retail property

Outlet spending nearly doubles to around US$36 billion over five years, prompting investment surge while urban malls suffer high vacancies.

Fashion

Jeff Staple, designer of the Nike Pigeon, talks hype, sneakers and streetwear

The streetwear icon just opened a Hong Kong store and launched a new line with Kenji Wong – and once pursued his first-ever collaboration with Brooks for 8 years.

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