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Latest news, analysis and opinion on ecommerce, covering new technology, consumer habits and the growth of digital payment options.
Melinda French Gates and Phoebe Gates attend the Michael Kors runway show during New York Fashion week on September 14, 2022. Photo: AFP
Artificial intelligence

Bill Gates’ daughter lands US$30 million for star-backed AI firm

The capital raise will value the start-up at US$180 million and comes just months after Phia completed its first US$8 million funding round.

China consumption

China delivers record 180 billion parcels in 11 months as shoppers chase deals

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Alibaba

Alibaba launches US$537 Quark AI glasses to challenge devices from Meta, Xiaomi

Alibaba

Alibaba to lead AI capital spending among Chinese firms amid strong demand

The group’s intention to boost AI-related capital outlay reflects its aim to spearhead China’s efforts in the race for global AI leadership.

Alibaba Cloud continues to grow demand for its open-source Qwen AI model family. Photo: Shutterstock
Fashion

8 viral tote bags: Emily Ratajkowski’s Daunt Books tote and more

Trader Joe’s micro bags have brought totes into the conversation again – here are a few that have taken off and are gaining cult status.

Artificial intelligence

US, Chinese firms add AI shopping bells and whistles to dominate all-in-one apps

OpenAI’s new ‘shopping research’ tool resembles popular AI shopping services on Chinese e-commerce platforms like Tmall and Taobao.

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Alibaba

Alibaba posts 5% rise in quarterly revenue on AI, cloud momentum

‘We have entered into an investment phase to build long-term strategic value in AI technologies and infrastructure,’ CEO Eddie Wu Yongming says.

Hong Kong-listed shares of Alibaba gained 2.14 per cent to close at HK$157.80 ahead of its earnings release. Photo: Shutterstock
Italy

Italian police raid Amazon sites in probe involving Chinese goods

E-commerce giant Amazon is suspected of acting as a ‘Trojan horse’ in Italy customs fraud case, court document says.

JD.com

JD.com steps up on-demand local services battle with food app and review platform

The e-commerce giant is betting on food delivery and an anti-fake review platform to sharpen its challenge to leaders Meituan and Alibaba.

Artificial intelligence

China targets AI-powered price manipulation in new antitrust guidelines

Market regulator SAMR outlines risks of collusion, unfair subsidies and walled gardens in online platforms.

The guidelines zero in on the sophisticated, often opaque ways in which online platforms with significant market power can exploit technological advantages to exclude rivals and harm consumer interests. Photo: Shutterstock
Alibaba

AI puts wind in the sales of Singles’ Day as Alibaba and JD.com hit retail records

From algorithmic promotions to AI chatbots, Alibaba and JD.com use new tools to hit Singles’ Day records and defy a sluggish economy.

People walk by a billboard promoting Tmall’s Singles’ Day sale at a popular shopping district in Beijing. Photo: AP
China exports

Chinese vendors on Shein, Temu face tax changes at home and abroad

While the EU ends a duty exemption, a reform of China’s tax regime may present the bigger challenge for cross-border sellers.

Sovereign wealth fund

Singapore’s Temasek invests in WeRide, Pony.ai to boost China tech holdings

Temasek’s latest deals reflect the 51-year-old investment giant’s focus on forward-looking technologies.

China trade

China sellers brace as EU moves to tighten rules on low-value parcels, as US did

Merchants warn that margins will be squeezed, consumer prices may rise, and firms may shift markets as compliance costs and customs hits bite cross-border trade.

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The European Commission said that 91 per cent of all e-commerce shipments valued under €150 (US$174) came from China last year. Photo: Getty Images
Artificial intelligence

Alibaba’s wholesale platform empowers merchants with AI tool to source products

Alibaba.com, which serves more than 200,000 merchants worldwide, will make its new AI Mode search tool available next month.

Alibaba.com’s AI Mode provides tailored results and recommendations generated via natural language queries. Photo: Shutterstock
Italy

Italy plans tax on low-value parcels, targeting China’s Shein and Temu

The move seeks to protect the local fashion industry from cheap imports and ‘non-European aggression’.

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South Korea

South Korea’s growing crisis of illegal puppy sales on YouTube spark concerns

One advocate group claims many animals are bred in poor conditions, with dogs kept in cramped, unsanitary cages and bred repeatedly for profit.

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Shein

Shein eyes US$2 billion profit in 2025 despite Trump tariffs

The upbeat full-year outlook comes as the fast-fashion e-commerce giant works to retain investor confidence ahead of a long-delayed IPO.

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Shein expects US$2 billion in profit this year despite the impact of US tariffs. Photo: Reuters
Alibaba

Alibaba’s ‘instant commerce’ bet pays off: Taobao hits 100 million new orders

From milk tea to smartphones in under an hour, Taobao Shangou gains traction as retail giant uses subsidies and speed to fend off rivals.

China-France relations

Shein wants dialogue with French government over website suspension

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s shock decision came on same day the fast-fashion giant opened its first permanent store in Paris.

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Start-ups

Tencent-backed Uzbek start-up eyes pre-IPO funding round in Hong Kong

Uzum co-founder Nikolay Seleznev is looking at a potential listing in 2027, including in Hong Kong, London, Abu Dhabi and Nasdaq.

Uzum operates e-commerce, fintech and banking services in Uzbekistan. Photo: Handout
Alibaba

Alibaba rebrands food delivery app Ele.me in instant retail push

A beta version of the updated app, available to select users, adopts Taobao’s signature orange colour instead of Ele.me’s blue theme.

The current logo of the Ele.me app (left) and the beta version. Photo: Handout
Alibaba

Alibaba boosts instant commerce drive with US$281 million convenience store plan

A network of Taobao-branded partner convenience stores is expected to roll out in more than 200 cities across the mainland.

Amazon

Amazon reports higher sales and earnings on fast-growing web services business

Amazon is rapidly automating its warehouses, raising big questions on how many workers it will need in the future.

Bonds

China’s Meituan eyes US$3 billion from bond issue as competition heats up

Meituan’s dual-currency bond offering consists of US$1.99 billion in greenback-denominated notes and US$1 billion in yuan-based securities.

Debt financing is expected to offer some relief to Meituan’s on-demand delivery business amid heightened competition. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong property

PapaHome to open second Hong Kong store as online-to-offline strategy pays off

The 40,000 sq ft furniture and lifestyle store will open at Fashion Walk in Causeway Bay in the second quarter of next year.

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PapaHome, a partnership between Taobao and Papabo, opened its first shop in Tsim Sha Tsui in February. Photo: Eugene Lee
Robotics

China’s Noetix debuts ‘family-friendly’ US$1,400 humanoid robot

The Bumi model signals the ‘entry of humanoid robots into the consumer market’, the company says.

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Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Prudence the watchword in U-turn over air mail centre redevelopment

Moving away from redeveloping the centre is likely wise, but with the scheduled commissioning so close, the timing is open to question.

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