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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.
Apple previews a new software interface design at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, California, on June 9, 2025. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Apple

Apple’s most sweeping software redesign disappoints mainland Chinese consumers

The hashtag ‘iOS26 Ugly’ was microblogging app Weibo’s top-trending topic on Tuesday, as thousands of netizens expressed their discontent.

Banking & finance

Labubu becomes bait for China’s Ping An Bank to lure young customers

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John Lee

Exclusive | Hong Kong’s retail sector is struggling but people will have to adapt: John Lee

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China manufacturing

Baijiu blues and plum pickings: tastes of China’s Gen Z rewrite liquor industry

Young Chinese are driving a shift from the traditional white spirit to fruity, lower-alcohol beverages, in a sign of as evolving lifestyles.

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The Jiangji Distillery is a brewing base for Chinese liquor, located in Baisha town, Chongqing. Photo: Handout
Beauty

Thai beauty is taking off – and Cathy Doll’s owner Karmart is its star

Wongwiwat and Pongwiwat Theekhakhirikul discuss starting as a family business, Trump tariffs, and offering premium products.

Timepieces

Meaningful milestones or marketing run amok? A closer look at anniversary watches

Anniversary editions hold value if the stories behind them are relevant – see the likes of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Hublot, Zenith, Patek Philippe and Tag Heuer for good examples.

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China’s economic stimulus

Local governments halt some subsidies ahead of China’s big 618 shopping festival

Abrupt halt to shopping vouchers – meant to stimulate consumption and boost economy – comes as a surprise, with depleted funds and ‘programme upgrades’ cited.

A saleswoman discusses products and government subsidies with a customer in China’s Zhejiang province. Photo: Xinhua
E-commerce

Alibaba, JD.com sales surge during 618 festival, thanks to subsidy programme

Preliminary data shows Apple, Xiaomi, Huawei, Midea and Haier each rang up sales of over US$13.9 million on the two shopping platforms.

IPO

Why Chinese fresh-drink firms could leave investors high and dry

Too much money could be chasing the same growth story, S&P Global Ratings says.

Hong Kong property

Exclusive | Hong Kong McDonald’s spot close to topping London as world’s busiest

The Admiralty Centre outlet serves more than 1,000 customers an hour during peak periods, putting it on a path to surpass the Liverpool Street branch.

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(Left to right): McDonald’s Hong Kong CEO Randy Lai, McDonald’s International Developmental Licensed Markets lead Hisham Sidky and Landini Associates’ founder and creative director Mark Landini. Photo: Handout
Consumers

Is Labubu the next Hello Kitty? Analysts debate Pop Mart’s limits

Labubu is a stunning success and a new Chinese cultural export, but can the company repeat its feats and rival Sanrio?

People look at Labubu products at a Pop Mart pop-up store in Siam Center shopping mall, in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 6. Photo: AFP
Apple

Apple faces another year of iPhone woes in China as Huawei rises

Fierce competition from Chinese rivals and a broader economic slowdown are contributing to another weak year for Apple, IDC says.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong ‘silver economy’ moves to boost spending by ‘5% annually over 3 years’

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk’s remarks follow series of measures being rolled out to better address needs of greying population.

Hong Kong economy

Who’s got the next Labubu? Hong Kong creators eye a slice of ‘goods economy’ pie

Artists and designers need support to make their mark in lucrative market for toys and other collectibles.

Illustration: Brian Wang
E-commerce

PDD faces profit challenge amid Trump tariffs, domestic e-commerce competition

‘Macroeconomic uncertainties and significant investments in the ecosystem’ are expected to continue affecting PDD’s earnings outlook, UBS analysts say.

Changes in US trade policies have created significant pressure for merchants on PDD Holdings’ Temu shopping platform. Photo: Shutterstock
E-commerce

Delivery war: Alibaba vies for Meituan’s on-demand throne in China

Alibaba’s Taobao Instant Commerce service and Ele.me have surpassed 40 million daily orders within a month of launch, the company says.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s Gale Well suffers US$6.5 million loss on sale of 2 shops

The real estate investment firm has sold a number of properties in the last few months, while some of its assets are still on the market.

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Consumers

China’s Pop Mart conquers Middle East with Labubu plush toys

The popular plush charm is not just trendy in the region, but also expensive, selling for US$109.

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Lisa from Blackpink is a fan of Pop Mart’s Labubu. Photo: Instagram/@labubuofficial
Hong Kong property

Japanese retailers capitalise on Hong Kong’s retail property slump to expand

Osaka-based 3Coins store to open in mid-July in Hysan Place; firm plans to sell Japanese grocery products and other items.

E-commerce

China looks to rein in e-commerce platform commissions, support small businesses

New draft rules from China’s top market regulator would limit commission fees charged by e-commerce platforms, with a focus on supporting small businesses.

Indonesia

Indonesia faces calls to boost economy through more support for small businesses

Micro, small and medium enterprises account for over 60 per cent of Indonesia’s economy, and analysts say support for them is critical.

A merchant checks bags displayed at his stall at Beringharjo traditional market in Yogyakarta on May 5. Indonesia posted an economic growth rate of 4.87 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, according to official data. Photo: Xinhua
E-commerce

Apple, Huawei, Xiaomi lead China’s top-500 ranking of consumer brands, report finds

The rankings were based on domestic consumers’ online purchase behaviour, according to a Peking University report.

The rankings showed Apple with a 100-point score, while Huawei and Xiaomi notched scores of 95.3 and 95.1, respectively. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong society

Labubu, Molly toys put spotlight on Hong Kong culture in Shenzhen festival

Camel, Red A also among 12 local brands being showcased at city’s booth at the China Shenzhen International Cultural Industries Fair.

Hong Kong stock market

Labubu propels Pop Mart into HK$300 billion club on Hong Kong market

After a 10-fold share-price jump in a year, toymaker tops all but 26 other Hong Kong-listed firms in market capitalisation.

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Alibaba

Alibaba lands US$250 million convertible bonds deal with selfie app giant Meitu

The strategic collaboration is expected to serve as ‘the foundation of a long-term partnership’ between Meitu and Alibaba.

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Meitu’s strategic collaboration with Alibaba Group Holding covers areas such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo: Shutterstock
Profile

Shonee Mirchandani on her family’s Bookazine legacy

The second generation of the Bookazine dynasty, Shonee Mirchandani, talks learning to live with the family business.

Shonee Mirchandani, at Bookazine Social, in Tai Kwun. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
China's economic recovery

China’s economic resilience muffles speculation over imminent fiscal stimulus

China’s exports and industrial output beat market expectations in April, despite the impact of US tariffs.

China manufacturing

China’s manufacturing resilient in April despite US tariffs; consumption softens

China’s industrial output rose 6.1 per cent, beating estimates, while domestic consumption up 5.1 per cent – slightly below expectations.

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