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E-commerce

Latest news, analysis and opinion on ecommerce, covering new technology, consumer habits and the growth of digital payment options.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

Some Chinese merchants say they have been asked by Amazon to stop offering products at a cheaper price on Temu. Photo: EPA-EFE

Amazon asks Chinese sellers not to offer cheaper prices on Temu

As competition heats up, the US retailer has started tracking product pricing on rival platform Temu, according to merchants.

24 Dec 2024 - 6:00PM

China technology

China’s tax authority to demand online influencer, merchant revenue numbers

23 Dec 2024 - 4:15PMvideocam

‘Resilient’ trade gains see Shenzhen poised to overtake Shanghai despite US tech siege

20 Dec 2024 - 8:00PM

China’s super app WeChat flexes e-commerce muscles with gift feature

The new function could be Tencent’s next big hit after electronic red packets, says one merchant.

20 Dec 2024 - 7:00PM

Visitors at a shopping centre in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: AP Photo

China’s food delivery platforms force riders to take breaks after long hours

Meituan and Ele.me are using ‘fatigue management’ systems in several cities, halting orders after 12-hour days, as work climbs in slowing economy.

18 Dec 2024 - 5:30PM

Walmart partners with Chinese delivery giant Meituan for speedy service

The world’s largest retailer is partnering up with another Chinese tech firm four months after dumping its stake in JD.com.

17 Dec 2024 - 9:00PM

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Artificial intelligence

Chinese start-up Zhipu AI adds US$412 million to war chest in crowded market

Zhipu said it doubled its revenue year on year in the 11 months to November, without providing an exact figure.

17 Dec 2024 - 7:00PM

Visitors seen in front of the Zhipu AI booth at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai earlier this year. Photo: Handout

Alibaba to lose US$1.3 billion on Intime sale in retreat from offline retail

The deal for the department store chain is valued at 7.4 billion yuan, less than half of what Alibaba sank into it.

17 Dec 2024 - 5:30PM

Opinion | From TikTok to Apple, companies must tread carefully amid digital nationalism

Restrictive policies could hinder innovation, limit consumer choice and fragment the global digital economy.

17 Dec 2024 - 6:38PMvideocam

Exclusive | Alibaba to sell department store Intime to focus on core e-commerce, sources say

The reported Intime sale is part of Alibaba’s broader efforts to restructure its business and refocus on its e-commerce and cloud businesses.

16 Dec 2024 - 6:30PM

Alibaba has been adjusting its sprawling e-commerce empire to refocus on core businesses. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Hong Kong property

More Hong Kong shops to close, as retail shifts online

Local beauty brand JaneClare is an example of a firm that is making money online, but still values real-world spaces.

16 Dec 2024 - 9:43AMvideocam

Interior view of JaneClare’s flagship store in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Sun Yeung

TikTok Shop is outperforming Shein and Sephora among US shoppers online

A new consumer trends report found that 45 per cent of surveyed Americans have bought something on TikTok.

16 Dec 2024 - 10:20AM

Shein’s UK IPO slowed by challenge from Uygur NGO alleging Xinjiang cotton use

Britain’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has also raised concerns over allegations about the fast-fashion firm’s labour practices.

13 Dec 2024 - 10:31AMvideocam

China technology

Beijing puts e-commerce sector’s ‘refund-only’ policy and PDD under scrutiny

The State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Commerce have directed Pinduoduo owner PDD to fix this practice.

12 Dec 2024 - 11:10PM

The intervention by regulators reflects how the “refund-only” practice has been abused and hurt online sellers’ earnings. Photo: Shutterstock

Artificial intelligence

China’s generative AI market sees fewer new entrants with 64 new approvals

The November AI model approvals is the smallest of the three batches released this year, as the market grows more saturated.

12 Dec 2024 - 6:00PM

The pace of new generative AI model approvals from Beijing has been slowing, suggesting the market is becoming saturated. Photo: Shutterstock

TikTok Shop opens in Spain, Ireland in e-commerce expansion as US ban looms

The Spain launch is TikTok Shop’s first foray into continental Europe, coming three years after opening in the UK, its first European market.

11 Dec 2024 - 5:03PM

TikTok pays users to shop, invite friends as US ban looms

TikTok has been working to boost users’ time spent and develop shopping habits ahead of its possible ban from US app stores on January 19.

11 Dec 2024 - 11:30AM

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Ant International reports growth after March spin-off on Alipay+ strength

Four pillars comprising Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst and Embedded Finance have delivered strong performance: company statement.

8 Dec 2024 - 5:48PMvideocam

Ant International’s Alipay+ lets small merchants accept payments directly from foreign digital wallets. Photo: Xinmei Shen

Ant Group promotes CFO Han to top post as Alipay owner marks 20-year milestone

CEO Eric Jing will relinquish his management post on March 1 next year and retain his role as group chairman, according to an internal memo on Sunday.

8 Dec 2024 - 1:58PMvideocam

No Black Friday windfall for Chinese online shops selling overseas

Cut-to-the-bone pricing is eating into the profit margins of Chinese merchants selling online to global shoppers.

8 Dec 2024 - 8:56PM

‘I trust it more’: Chinese app Xiaohongshu offers unexpected window on Malaysia

With over 2.5 million users in Malaysia, Xiaohongshu not only attracts tourists but helps Malaysian Chinese connect with their heritage.

8 Dec 2024 - 8:22AM

Tourists walk past a mural featuring the Malaysian national flag in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA-EFE

Can AI chatbots really make your Christmas shopping easier?

Generative AI technologies that can give people assistance and advice when shopping online are fast becoming a feature of the e-commerce experience.

8 Dec 2024 - 6:15AM

Technology is shaping the future of shopping with more advanced AI chatbots being employed to help people buy what they are looking for and get the best deals, but it is not perfect yet. Photo: Shutterstock

China cutting e-commerce red tape to ease export of small packages, support jobs

New policies aim to shore up China’s competitiveness in global manufacturing and e-commerce while alleviating worrisome youth-unemployment pressure.

6 Dec 2024 - 1:30PM

Temu, Shein halt Vietnam operations pending business registration

Two of the world’s most popular budget-shopping platforms have suspended business in the Southeast Asian nation.

6 Dec 2024 - 2:55PM

Malaysian celebrity couple deny embezzlement over failed e-commerce venture

The case involving Vivy Yusof and Fadzarudin has stirred outrage over beneficiaries of state funding in a country still reeling from the 1MDB scandal.

5 Dec 2024 - 11:57AMvideocam

Vivy Yusof, co-founder of Malaysian e-commerce firm Fashion Valet. Photo: Instagram/vivyyusof

TikTok triples US sales on Black Friday despite looming ban

E-commerce sales on the app surged above US$100 million during the post-Thanksgiving shopping extravaganza.

5 Dec 2024 - 10:05AM

E-commerce sales on TikTok Shop tripled on Black Friday despite a looming ban on the app in the US. Photo: Shutterstock

Alibaba to sponsor China’s Lunar New Year gala to reach thrifty consumers

The e-commerce giant is sponsoring the most-watched broadcast in the world, as it seeks to revive growth amid tough competition and a slowing economy.

4 Dec 2024 - 6:30PM

Exclusive | China’s Meituan to expand Keeta food delivery service to more Middle East cities

Wang Xing, founder and CEO of Meituan, said last week that the company has seen some ‘encouraging results’ in Saudi Arabia.

2 Dec 2024 - 1:32PM

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