Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

Retailing

Retailing
Latest news and features on retailing with a particular focus on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia, covering consumer goods and services, retail strategies, shopping habits, sales results and trends.
A crane lifts a container at a port this month in China’s Jiangsu province, which has been threatening to end Guangdong’s uninterrupted reign as the nation’s largest provincial economy since the late 1980s. Photo: China Daily via Reuters
China GDP

Guangdong’s rule as China’s GDP king faces an unprecedented threat to the crown

A rival provincial powerhouse, with a GDP as big as some G7 nations, is becoming a hub for strategic emerging sectors while outpacing the national economic growth rate.

videocam
Pop Mart

Pop Mart comes with a cool idea for red-hot Labubu: mini-fridges

China manufacturing

China’s industrial profits hit 6-month high amid Iran war price spikes

4
Artificial intelligence

Beijing sounds alarm over urgent need to clean up online ads

Market watchdog flags AI abuse and traffic-driven tactics as it launches first campaign to overhaul online advertising.

China’s top market regulator is set to launch a six-month crackdown on the country’s internet advertising sector. Photo: Shutterstock
Asia travel

This mall is one of the best places to buy anime and fan merch in Seoul

I’Park Mall in Seoul’s Yongsan district focuses on fandoms built around animations, games and character-based intellectual property.

Fashion

A. Society’s founders on the Hong Kong eyewear brand’s rise to global cool

As Asian eyewear labels command growing attention, A. Society has launched an enhanced version of its A. Custom in-store personalisation service.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | Why a ParknShop-Wellcome merger isn’t cause for worry – we have plenty of choice

A potential monopoly involving Hong Kong’s two biggest supermarket chains is not as bad as some think, at least for those who shop around.

A ParknShop supermarket in Jordan, Hong Kong. A potential merger with Wellcome has many worried about a supermarket monopoly in the city. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong property

‘Kidults’ and nostalgia drive Toys ‘R’ Us pivot as Hong Kong retail evolves

The retailer is refining its operations with smaller outlets and lifestyle products to capture new demand from Gen Z and young adults.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong watchdog monitoring potential merger of city’s top 2 supermarket chains

Jardine Matheson and CK Hutchison reportedly in talks for Wellcome-ParknShop megadeal amid decline in citywide supermarket sales.

10
Hong Kong stock market

China’s Warren Buffett calls Pop Mart a long-term buy, hints at owning stake

Duan Yongping sees Pop Mart as a promising long-term investment, praising its growth potential and unique business model.

Labubu dolls are on display at the Pop Mart store at the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo: AP
Hong Kong property

Futu Securities opens coffee shop as it adapts to changing client ‘lifestyles’

Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo as well as online brokerage Longbridge have also launched cafes in their outlets.

The Futu Securities branch in Causeway Bay is seen in this picture dated October 18, 2024. Photo: Jonathan Wong
China’s private sector

China’s tea-drink shops thirst for profits as price wars dry up prospects

‘I am learning a hard lesson of how involution can destroy my business,’ a Shanghai shop operator says.

Fashion

Feng Chen Wang on 10 years in fashion and ‘Chinamaxxing’ before it was cool

The Chinese-born designer, who had Virgil Abloh as a mentor, just celebrated her brand’s 10th year at Shanghai Fashion Week.

China consumption

China’s luxury spending seen boosting global sales in 2026 despite headwinds

Affluent Chinese consumers are expected to splurge, though a volatile property market and oil price shocks pose challenges, analysts say.

A huge, ship-shaped Louis Vuitton cultural and retail landmark is seen in Shanghai. China’s luxury spending is expected to help drive a global rebound this year. Photo: Getty Images
Tianjin

Japanese chains lose ground in north China as competition and deflation bite

Store closures in Beijing and Tianjin highlight mounting pressure from domestic rivals amid shifting consumer habits.

Analysts say Japanese retailers must adapt more quickly to China’s evolving retail landscape. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong stock market

China’s Pop Mart struggles despite buy-backs as Labubu reliance sparks concerns

Toymaker’s shares have fallen nearly 50 per cent since February as investors weigh slowing overseas growth and dependence on flagship line.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong retail sales jump nearly 12% in first 2 months of year

Visitor arrivals also rose by 17 per cent to 14.31 million in first three months, tourism minister reveals.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Fashion

How London brand Chopova Lowena, and its cult carabiner skirt, came to be

Harry Styles, Madonna and Gen Z cool girls all love this viral brand – which is inspired by everything from Bulgarian folklore to rock climbing and Scottish kilts.

Laura Lowena-Irons and Emma Chopova at Joyce Harbour City in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong stock market

Pop Mart shares dive despite soaring profit as investors fear Labubu dependence

Labubu and The Monsters series make up 38 per cent of 2025 revenue, while conservative growth guidance for 2026 weighs on confidence.

videocam
China consumption

China consumer firms post strong results but analysts warn recovery may lag

Hong Kong-listed consumer firms report strong results but analysts say the gains reflect structural shifts rather than broad recovery.

Electric & new energy vehicles

3 Chinese EV makers raise prices – but demand slowdown could force reversal

Xiaomi, Chery and FAW adjust prices amid surging chip and raw material costs, but analysts say soft sales could undermine gains.

Xiaomi is the latest EV maker to adjust pricing of some models. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Luxury brands bet on growth as well-heeled tourists flock to Hong Kong events

Over 60 new brands set to join upscale Tsim Sha Tsui shopping centre as part of tenant overhaul covering about 30 per cent of its retail space.

K11 Musea in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong property

‘Upstairs’ moves downstairs: Hong Kong shops head to street level as rents fall

Retailers and restaurants adjust to lower rents and weaker demand, with operators expanding at ground level and testing pop-up formats.

Mainland China

Pop Mart’s Labubu headed to big screen in collaboration with Sony Pictures

The Chinese toymaker’s star character will appear in a film co-written and helmed by the director of Paddington and Wonka.

videocam
4
Fashion

In their words: Mimi Tang defines 20 years of setting trends in Hong Kong

Formerly at Kering overseeing Gucci, Saint Laurent and more luxury brands, Tang recalls Louis Vuitton’s fashion show in Hong Kong, and names her style icons.

Mimi Tang, pictured at the SCMP office in November 2021, believes that Hong Kong’s position as a style capital is partly down to its rich mix of cultures. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
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.

6
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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement