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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.
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Science

FBI raids on Chinese-American scientist revives China Initiative fears

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Wang Xiaofeng, who was named a distinguished member by the Association for Computing Machinery in 2021, joined Indiana University Bloomington as an assistant professor in 2004 after receiving his PhD in computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Photo: Handout

Trending in China

Shock as teen surrogate gives birth to twins for Chinese man, receives US$124,000

There has been a wave of public outrage in China after it emerged that a man paid a teenage girl US$124,000 to bear surrogate twins for him. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Americas

Venezuela received first high-level criminal among US deportees

Venezuelan migrants deported from the US look out from an aircraft as they arrive in Maiquetia, Venezuela. Photo: Reuters

Military

Eye in the sky captures China’s Fujian aircraft carrier practising manoeuvres

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One of the images that was posted on social media and purports to show China’s Fujian aircraft carrier being put through its paces during its latest sea trials. Photo: Weibo / 单手搓核弹

Science

From underdog to genius: Yale computer scientist Sun Huanbo returns to China

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Computer scientist Sun Huanbo has taken up a position at Peking University. Photo: Peking University
A worker welds at a steel-processing factory on Saturday. China’s factory activity showed signs of speeding up in March. Photo: Xinhua
China manufacturing

China’s factory activity speeds up on export boost, Caixin PMI shows

But China’s macroeconomic policies must be ‘more proactive and decisive’, with immediate implementations, to support a recovery, economist says.

China economy

My Take | Labubu proves Hong Kong IP and Chinese manufacturing are a recipe for success

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong retail sales drop for 12th straight month in February, down by 13%

Alibaba

Alibaba’s AI crackdown: Taobao says e-commerce images must be ‘realistic’

Taobao’s initiative aligns with China’s broader regulatory efforts to address the misuse of generative AI.

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Taobao and Tmall Group is targeting the use of AI-generated product images that deceive buyers across all its platforms. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s battered retail sector about to turn around: UBS, JLL

UBS revises its 2025 forecast to flat from a 5 per cent decline, while JLL sees signs of stabilisation as Shenzhen shopping craze cools.

Hong Kong

The hottest new openings in Hong Kong, March 23-29

From a home-grown boba brand’s new Kennedy Town outpost to hearty sandwiches at LMO Freshly Baked, here’s this week’s hottest spots.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong brands urged to emulate success of Chiikawa and Chow Tai Fook collaboration

City’s consumers revelled in a gold bracelet and coin collaboration between China’s largest jewellery retailer and Japanese anime sensation.

Hong Kong consumers queue outside Chow Tai Fook at iSquare for the Chiikawa collection. Photo: handout
US-China relations

Editorial | Walmart’s bid to force China to pay Trump tariffs is unacceptable

Chinese suppliers with already razor-thin margins should not have to bear the costs of Washington’s trade war.

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Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Raging Sea Horse threatens to sue Hong Kong watchdog over low mattress score

Hong Kong bedding company gives Consumer Council hard time over score in ‘unfair’ mattress testing.

China consumption

Chinese economists call for wider social safety net to nurture consumption

With trade becoming a less reliable source of growth, Chinese academics have recommended demand-side measures to spur domestic spending.

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China’s domestic consumption has taken on greater importance in an increasingly uncertain environment for international trade. Photo: EPA-EFE
China consumption

China’s retail sales rise as consumption takes centre stage amid tariff blitz

January and February saw a 4 per cent increase in retail sales, stirring hopes domestic consumption can make up for a shortfall in exports.

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People shop at the Miniso flagship store in Shanghai, China. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong consumer watchdog receives 12 complaints over Deliveroo membership

London-based Deliveroo will cease operating in Hong Kong on April 7, with the loss-making platform selling certain assets to rival Foodpanda.

Hong Kong property

Nicholas Tse, Stanley Ho’s family face falling property value amid market slump

Macau tycoon Stanley Ho’s family is selling a site in Tsim Sha Tsui, while actor Nicholas Tse’s shop in Central rented out at a big discount.

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Hong Kong property

Swire Pacific earnings drop 85% as Hong Kong property slump hits projects, assets

Earnings at Cathay Pacific stabilised while the group switched its focus in the beverage business to Thailand and Laos from the US market.

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Exterior of One Pacific Place in Admiralty. Photo: Nora Tam
China property

China’s commercial properties unloved as foreign funds sell for fourth year

Cumulative net selling from 2021 to 2024 amounted to US$11.2 billion, surpassing net buying in 2019 to 2020.

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People hang out at The Bund as the financial district of Pudong is seen in the background in Shanghai. Photo: Reuters
US-China trade war

China summons Walmart executives for talks in wake of Trump tariffs

Officials met representatives of the US retailer to discuss its treatment of Chinese suppliers following the imposition of import duties.

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Alibaba

Video | How Alibaba.com is betting on AI to transform e-commerce

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Alibaba.com president Zhang Kuo discusses the next big shift in global trade: AI.

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China economy

Opinion | China’s 5% GDP target: where will the growth come from?

Beijing needs a change in public expectations to boost confidence and open the floodgates of consumer spending to drive up the economy.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks to Premier Li Qiang at the opening ceremony of the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on March 5. Photo: EPA-EFE
Alibaba

Alibaba.com targets 100% AI adoption by merchants in 2025

Zhang Kuo, president of Alibaba’s international wholesale marketplace, expects the AI initiative to help sellers and buyers on the platform.

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Hong Kong economy

Poll reveals which Hong Kong products are winning over Asean online shoppers

Consumers from Thailand, Indonesia lead in buying products from city, while Singapore respondents have highest spend per purchase.

Hong Kong

Harbour City owner says earnings sink on weak retail, property market

Earnings took into account HK$5.66 billion (US$729.3 million) of deficit from a revaluation of investment properties.

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Tourists shop at the Harbour City mall in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jelly Tse
Banking & finance

Gucci, Prada close more China outlets as luxury spending shrinks

Store closures are also hurting mall owners and undermining projections for an end to the multi-year property market slump.

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People walk past a closed Gucci store on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street in Shanghai on February 17, 2025. Photo: Getty Images
Icons and Influencers

Q&A | Amen Candles’ founder Rodrigo Garcia Alvarez on building a plastic-free future

Alvarez is slowly transforming the luxury candle market with eco-friendly innovations and cool collaborations carried by Picasso museums and stores such as Dover Street Market Ginza.

IPO

China fresh-tea brand Chagee follows Mixue, Guming in IPO rush

Company receives approval for Nasdaq or NYSE listing after Beijing’s pledge to help more mainland companies raise funds.

E-commerce

JD.com nearly triples quarterly profit on back of revived consumer spending

JD.com reported a better-than-expected profit of 9.9 billion yuan in the fourth quarter, up from 3.4 billion yuan a year ago.

JD.com’s strong financial results reflect rising domestic consumption in China, bolstered by policy support from Beijing. Photo: Shutterstock
China economy

Opinion | Behind loud headlines, China’s economy is quietly making strides

Contrary to simplistic narratives of vulnerability is a dynamic and evolving economy still playing a pivotal role on the global stage.

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Workers checking fabric for export to Africa at a workshop in Binzhou in east China’s Shandong province on February 25. While trade tensions exist, China is diversifying its trade relationships. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong retail property fund sells shop at 30% loss

Bridgeway, managed by veteran investor Edwin Lee, sold the shop for HK$18.7 million (US$2.4 million) after acquiring it for HK$27.5 million.

Tourism

London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants to ban traffic on Oxford Street. Why?

An old proposal of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, to pedestrianise Oxford Street, is once again on the books – he says it will boost growth.

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