https://www.scmp.com/rss/318753/feed News about consumer spending and shifting shopping habits from around the world with a focus on developments in Hong Kong and mainland China. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Several major US-listed global hotel chains reported strong performance in China in the first quarter, driven by robust business and leisure demand, with momentum expected to continue through the year. As US President Donald Trump makes a state visit to Beijing this week, international arrivals to China also jumped in the first quarter, fuelled by the country’s expanded visa-free entry policies for more countries. Four international hotel groups – Hilton Worldwide Holdings, InterContinental... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353590/chinas-hotel-sector-shines-poised-outperform-through-2026-strong-travel-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353590/chinas-hotel-sector-shines-poised-outperform-through-2026-strong-travel-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 May 2026 00:30:05 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Surging oil prices are prompting Chinese buyers to shift to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which dominated April sales rankings by taking nine out of the top 10 spots – a new high in China’s electrification drive. Only one petrol car model was among the bestsellers across all power trains, with Geely’s Binyue in eighth place on sales of 14,923 units, according to data from automotive platform Dongchedi. The rest were BEVs, which produce zero tailpipe emissions. It marked a sharp retreat in... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353525/geely-xiaomi-lead-pack-battery-evs-top-china-sales-rising-oil-costs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353525/geely-xiaomi-lead-pack-battery-evs-top-china-sales-rising-oil-costs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 07:30:05 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang The cooling efficiency of 13 air-conditioner models bearing Hong Kong’s top energy label can vary by up to 33 per cent, the consumer watchdog has found, calling for improved grading standards. The Consumer Council on Thursday released test results for 13 models of 1.5-horsepower inverter split-type air conditioners, finding “substantial differences” in energy-saving performance among units all holding a Grade 1 label. “Apart from the Grade 1 energy label, [consumers] can also check the annual... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3353509/top-rated-air-cons-hong-kong-vary-33-cooling-efficiency-watchdog-finds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3353509/top-rated-air-cons-hong-kong-vary-33-cooling-efficiency-watchdog-finds?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 05:14:09 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Every year at Watches and Wonders – the world’s most important fair for luxury timepieces, held in Geneva, Switzerland – brands ranging from Rolex to Cartier and Patek Philippe vie for attention with extravagant booths showcasing their latest releases. This year though, Panerai stole the show with a buzzy installation that paid homage to its nautical heritage while also being very Instagrammable. Designed and manufactured in-house by the brand, the structure was a reproduction of the historic... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3353504/style-edit-panerai-ceo-emmanuel-perrin-watch-brands-maritime-heritage-interview?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3353504/style-edit-panerai-ceo-emmanuel-perrin-watch-brands-maritime-heritage-interview?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 04:24:43 +0000 Denise Tsang,Oscar Liu Denise Tsang,Oscar Liu The authority managing Hong Kong International Airport has taken over the retail operations of 11 Skies from New World Development ahead of the opening of Terminal 2, the South China Morning Post has learned. Multiple sources said the Airport Authority had assumed control of key components of the 2.66 million sq ft retail and dining space, representing 70 per cent of the entire project. But it remains unclear whether the authority has also taken over the rest of 570,000 sq ft of experiential... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3353454/hong-kong-airport-authority-takes-over-11-skies-retail-new-world-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3353454/hong-kong-airport-authority-takes-over-11-skies-retail-new-world-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 11:46:24 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia, already leading Southeast Asia’s push to keep children off risky digital platforms with an under-16 social media ban, now wants to extend those protections to e-commerce after officials said young people had become victims of online scams and unsupervised digital spending. The plan has drawn support from child psychologists, who warn of impulsive consumption among young users. However, it also presents e-commerce companies with a difficult compliance test: building age-verification... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3353440/why-indonesia-expanding-under-16-social-media-ban-e-commerce?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3353440/why-indonesia-expanding-under-16-social-media-ban-e-commerce?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:33 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department’s consumer price index rose 3.8 per cent from April 2025, according to data released on Tuesday. On a month-to-month basis, April prices rose 0.6 per cent from March as petrol prices rose 5.4 per cent during the month; the month-over-month gain was down from 0.9 per cent increase from February to March. Labor Department figures showed that petrol prices are up more... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3353316/us-consumer-inflation-jumps-iran-war-sends-energy-prices-higher?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3353316/us-consumer-inflation-jumps-iran-war-sends-energy-prices-higher?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 13:44:44 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso American jeweller Tiffany & Co. is rapidly bolstering its physical presence in Asia. Anchored by stand-out store openings in Tokyo’s Ginza district and Taikoo Li Sanlitun in Beijing, the LVMH-owned house may now be as well-known for these stores as for its jewellery – each store is built to resemble a work of art and is inspired, in some way or another, by Tiffany & Co.’s extensive archives and history. The latest addition to its stunning line-up of retail destinations is the new Hong Kong store... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3353129/style-edit-tiffany-co-brings-new-york-flair-hong-kongs-lee-gardens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3353129/style-edit-tiffany-co-brings-new-york-flair-hong-kongs-lee-gardens?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 02:00:11 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren The pace of electrification on western Europe’s roads is likely to fire up sales of Chinese-developed smart cars, where they could command a 20 per cent share of the regional market in 2028 at the expense of local peers, according to a JPMorgan forecast. Chinese carmakers from BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) builder, to Stallentis-backed Leapmotor, were expected to deliver 2.5 million cars to customers in countries like Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom in 2028, a... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353170/chinese-smart-cars-set-control-20-western-european-market-2028-jpmorgan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353170/chinese-smart-cars-set-control-20-western-european-market-2028-jpmorgan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 11:56:52 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng A major benchmark of China’s factory-gate prices continued to rise last month, as the energy shock linked to the US-Israel war on Iran weighs on producers in the world’s second-largest economy. After returning to growth for the first time in more than three years the month before, the producer price index (PPI) recorded a higher-than-expected year-on-year increase of 2.8 per cent in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This followed March’s 0.5 per cent year-on-year... https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3353089/chinas-producer-consumer-inflation-april-iran-war-pressures-persist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3353089/chinas-producer-consumer-inflation-april-iran-war-pressures-persist?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 03:54:15 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Six-seat premium electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are emerging as an unlikely game changer in China’s automotive market, with more than a dozen new locally developed models set to challenge German luxury brands this year. The spacious vehicles, increasingly popular among wealthy families in mainland China, could drive a rebound in the world’s largest car and electric vehicle (EV) market as they combined Chinese EVs’ technological edge with competitive pricing, according to Morgan... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353028/chinese-6-seat-electric-suvs-stand-out-amid-weak-domestic-sales-says-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353028/chinese-6-seat-electric-suvs-stand-out-amid-weak-domestic-sales-says-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 23:00:10 +0000 Tony Zhao Tony Zhao China may finally have a chance to loosen the grip of deflation. Yet, the more important question is whether it can do so without making households feel poorer first. The latest producer price index (PPI), which measures the prices factories charge, brings that possibility back into serious debate. China’s March PPI rose by 0.5 per cent year on year, ending 41 months of decline; it was up 1 per cent from February. After years of weak prices, cautious household spending and squeezed corporate... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3352619/can-china-engineer-price-recovery-doesnt-make-people-feel-poorer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3352619/can-china-engineer-price-recovery-doesnt-make-people-feel-poorer?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 08:30:04 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Malaysia’s nascent electric vehicle market may be decimated before it gets up to speed, as business experts warn of a sharp drop in demand and delay in the renewable energy transition if the government imposes strict price curbs on imported units from July, in a move to protect the country’s vehicle makers. The ministry of investment, trade and industry (Miti) on Wednesday announced that from July 1, it will only allow the sale of imported EVs that have a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3352893/malaysias-ev-import-curbs-protect-local-car-sector-criticised-inconsistency?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3352893/malaysias-ev-import-curbs-protect-local-car-sector-criticised-inconsistency?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2026 09:15:32 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla’s Shanghai factory reported a big year-on-year rise in deliveries last month as it benefited from local governments’ subsidies and increasing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) amid the global energy shock. The US carmaker said in a statement that the so-called Gigafactory delivered 74,478 units in April, up 36 per cent from the same period in 2025. The number comprises sales in mainland China and exports to overseas markets. However, on a month-to-month basis the factory’s sales in April... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352856/tesla-china-posts-36-sales-rise-local-rivals-new-models-nip-heels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352856/tesla-china-posts-36-sales-rise-local-rivals-new-models-nip-heels?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2026 06:34:44 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Beijing’s tighter oversight of vicious price competition in the automotive sector is expected to increase borrowing pressure on mainland carmakers and accelerate the exit of weaker, debt-laden players amid softening consumer demand, according to S&P Global Ratings. The warning is likely to deepen bearish sentiment surrounding mainland China’s more than 100 car assemblers, many of which have been at the forefront of global electric vehicle (EV) technology and production. “Financially fragile... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352760/chinas-move-cut-ev-payment-cycles-may-push-weaker-carmakers-out-sp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352760/chinas-move-cut-ev-payment-cycles-may-push-weaker-carmakers-out-sp?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 23:00:11 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics said on Wednesday it would end sales of all home appliance products in mainland China, retreating further from a consumer market increasingly dominated by domestic rivals as the group doubles down on its far more profitable semiconductor business. Samsung’s home appliance portfolio in China includes televisions, monitors, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, vacuum cleaners and air purifiers. In a notice published on its official... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3352690/samsung-halts-all-home-appliance-sales-china-pivot-ai-accelerates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3352690/samsung-halts-all-home-appliance-sales-china-pivot-ai-accelerates?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 02:48:28 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s railway network broke passenger records during the long May Day holiday as millions hit the rails. Meanwhile, a shift towards budget-conscious destinations such as the African coast, coupled with rising fuel costs, signalled a cautious consumer landscape despite the surge in mobility. China’s Ministry of Transport said on Wednesday that “cross-regional” trips during the holiday reached nearly 1.52 billion, a 3.49 per cent increase over the 2025 break, and a record high for the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352618/chinas-may-day-travel-surges-spending-chases-value-budget-conscious-pivot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352618/chinas-may-day-travel-surges-spending-chases-value-budget-conscious-pivot?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s top tech hub, Shenzhen, saw retail sales grow by just 0.5 per cent year on year in the first quarter after reporting gross domestic product growth of 5.8 per cent for the same period, casting a spotlight on its unbalanced development as mortgage and living costs weigh heavily on residents’ sentiment. A policy analyst said the city, in southern China’s Guangdong province, could have already seen retail sales decline if not for the rising number of bargain-hunters from Hong Kong crossing... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352367/shenzhens-retail-sales-flatline-export-boom-fails-benefit-residents?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352367/shenzhens-retail-sales-flatline-export-boom-fails-benefit-residents?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 14:00:09 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings US technology companies should stay in China, despite persistent political pressure for their exit, to capitalise on revenue potential and stifle local competition while monitoring consumer trends, according to a Washington-based policy think tank. Sales generated by American firms within China can be reinvested in research and development back in the United States, thereby helping “sustain US innovation leadership”, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) said in a new... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3352371/us-tech-can-use-china-listening-post-global-edge-washington-think-tank-explains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3352371/us-tech-can-use-china-listening-post-global-edge-washington-think-tank-explains?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 13:00:13 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong’s property market is poised for a broad-based recovery as a strong upturn in the residential segment spills over to the struggling office and retail sectors, according to analysts. Morgan Stanley upgraded its forecast for the city’s home prices to a 12 per cent increase this year from 10 per cent previously and anticipated another 5 per cent rise in 2027, it said in a report on Monday. Likewise, the office property segment was likely to see some relief, with Hong Kong’s top business... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3352357/hong-kong-residential-property-upturn-drives-recovery-office-retail-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3352357/hong-kong-residential-property-upturn-drives-recovery-office-retail-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi At the close of his presentation at this year’s Auto China show, Li Fenggang, president of Beijing Hyundai Motor, surprised the audience by asking them to lift LED boxes placed on their seats. “We’ll use this beam of light to kick off Hyundai’s new journey in China,” he said, raising the device stamped with the logo of Ioniq, the new brand the Korean carmaker has just launched in mainland China. After years of lacklustre performance in the country, Hyundai was preparing to regain lost ground by... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352094/comeback-trail-can-foreign-marques-regain-lost-ground-amid-chinas-ev-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352094/comeback-trail-can-foreign-marques-regain-lost-ground-amid-chinas-ev-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Southeast Asian growers can now ship durians to China faster than before using a new cold-storage rail service linking Thailand, Laos and southwest China’s Yunnan province, slashing prices for the pungent fruit. The first goods train laden with durians from Thailand – China’s biggest source of the fruit – began winding its way north through Laos to China over the weekend, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Tuesday. More than 90 per cent of the world’s durian exports – worth about US$7.5 billion... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352017/durian-express-new-southeast-asia-rail-service-cuts-fruit-prices-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3352017/durian-express-new-southeast-asia-rail-service-cuts-fruit-prices-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 02:00:08 +0000 Daniel Ren,Ben Jiang Daniel Ren,Ben Jiang China’s latest electric vehicle (EV) innovations – from ultra-fast battery charging to headlights capable of projecting films – have drawn strong attention at Beijing’s Auto China show, underscoring how the country’s automotive technology is pulling ahead of global rivals. As domestic carmakers and key suppliers recast vehicles as “mobile living spaces” powered by artificial intelligence and digital systems, they are increasingly looking beyond the mainland to drive export growth. “We are... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352100/lights-camera-traction-film-projecting-headlights-steer-chinas-ev-feature-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352100/lights-camera-traction-film-projecting-headlights-steer-chinas-ev-feature-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:09 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Multinational furniture retailer Ikea says it will open its first small-format store in Beijing on Thursday, aiming at convenience and efficiency that analysts believe could lift footfall by bringing the brand closer to consumers amid shifting trends. The move comes after the company shut seven large outlets across mainland China in early February, as it grapples with the country’s rapidly changing consumer trends and declining demand for new-home furnishing amid a sluggish property... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351870/ikea-open-first-small-format-beijing-store-tap-chinas-changing-consumer-trends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351870/ikea-open-first-small-format-beijing-store-tap-chinas-changing-consumer-trends?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:30:20 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Chinese toymaker Pop Mart continues to leverage the popularity of its collectibles as it launches two limited-edition Labubu-themed mini-refrigerators on Thursday. Capped at 999 units for each design, the appliances are in high demand, with second-hand resale prices on online platforms up to 80 per cent higher than the original retail price. The two designs, both from The Monsters series, were priced at 5,999 yuan (US$878) each, and they would be available for sale at 10pm on April 30 on... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3351578/pop-mart-comes-cool-idea-red-hot-labubu-mini-fridges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3351578/pop-mart-comes-cool-idea-red-hot-labubu-mini-fridges?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:15:11 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng Profit growth at China’s industrial firms accelerated to a six-month high in March, as long-suppressed factory-gate prices turned positive amid disruptions from the Iran war. Total profits for China’s major industrial enterprises – those with annual revenues greater than 20 million yuan (US$2.93 million) – grew by 15.8 per cent last month, the fastest rate since September, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday. Profits in the first quarter reached 1.696... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351565/china-industrial-profits-hit-6-month-high-amid-iran-war-factory-gate-prices-rebound?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351565/china-industrial-profits-hit-6-month-high-amid-iran-war-factory-gate-prices-rebound?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:24 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi China’s recycling platform Zhuanzhuan is preparing to expand into Europe and the US by the end of the year, betting that demand for second-hand goods will continue to rise amid economic uncertainty despite geopolitical tensions. Backed by tech giants Tencent Holdings and Xiaomi, the Beijing-based company plans to export its model – which combines advanced quality inspection technology with door-to-door services – to get a slice of overseas markets. A dedicated international website was expected... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351394/turning-cast-offs-cash-chinas-zhuanzhuan-looks-europe-and-us-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351394/turning-cast-offs-cash-chinas-zhuanzhuan-looks-europe-and-us-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 01:00:32 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. Since I moved to China, the world has taken on a different rhythm. A different way of creating. A different relationship with time. I work in the fashion industry, and every day I touch, inspect and evaluate products stamped with “Made in China” – a phrase often printed in small... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3351249/made-china-label-should-be-source-pride?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3351249/made-china-label-should-be-source-pride?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 03:20:08 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng Beijing is intensifying its enforcement against tax evasion, extending its reach into consumption taxes, which have been positioned as a critical source of stabilising local government finances that have been hit hard by the nation’s prolonged property crisis. Earlier this month, the State Taxation Administration (STA) released details of eight tax-violation cases involving sectors such as gold jewellery, alcoholic beverages and refined oil. The enforcement actions spanned multiple regions,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351320/china-ramps-hunt-tax-evaders-frames-consumption-levies-fiscal-lifelines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351320/china-ramps-hunt-tax-evaders-frames-consumption-levies-fiscal-lifelines?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:00:14 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Chinese toymaker Pop Mart said it plans to develop more of its Pop Land theme parks on the mainland and overseas, and is in talks with several cities to expand beyond its sole existing venue in Beijing. Jeffrey Hu, head of Pop Land and vice-president of Pop Mart, said on Friday that the company had established solid park operations capabilities, and planned to replicate this model whenever suitable opportunities emerged. “We also plan to develop an integrated resort blending theme park... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351344/chinas-pop-mart-eyes-expansion-home-and-abroad-its-pop-land-theme-park?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351344/chinas-pop-mart-eyes-expansion-home-and-abroad-its-pop-land-theme-park?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:30:14 +0000 Zhang Shidong Zhang Shidong China’s largest fund manager has doubled down on consumer stocks, betting on a rebound in spending as early signs of stabilisation emerge in the property and catering sectors. Zhang Kun, who oversees US$6.9 billion at Guangzhou-based E Fund Management, increased exposure to leading baijiu makers and e-commerce platforms in his flagship mutual fund during the first quarter, according to a quarterly filing released on Thursday. The combined assets of the four funds he manages remain the largest... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351290/baijiu-bet-chinas-top-fund-manager-doubles-down-consumers-amid-signs-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351290/baijiu-bet-chinas-top-fund-manager-doubles-down-consumers-amid-signs-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:00:46 +0000 Ushar Daniele Ushar Daniele Malaysia’s durian growers say they are in “survival mode” as an early bumper harvest collides with a surge in fuel and freight costs, squeezing an export trade built around getting premium fruit into China fast. Hot weather has brought harvests forward, swelling supply just as exporters face higher packaging, energy and transport costs, with the Iran war disrupting fuel supplies and making cargo more expensive. The strain is exposing the vulnerability of Malaysia’s durian industry, which has... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3351176/malaysias-durian-growers-survival-mode-early-glut-and-iran-war-hit-export-trade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3351176/malaysias-durian-growers-survival-mode-early-glut-and-iran-war-hit-export-trade?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:59:38 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia’s new front-of-pack nutrition labelling scheme has been welcomed by health advocates as a long-overdue measure to tackle excessive sugar, salt and fat intake. But experts said the labels were only a first step and would do little on their own to slow Indonesia’s growing burden of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other diet-related diseases. A decree issued by the health ministry on April 14 requires ready-to-eat food and drink products to carry nutrition labels and health messages... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3351170/indonesias-new-food-labels-are-long-overdue-can-they-help-fight-rising-obesity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3351170/indonesias-new-food-labels-are-long-overdue-can-they-help-fight-rising-obesity?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:40:49 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi This year’s Auto China, the world’s largest car show, is likely to mark a watershed for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers as they push dozens of new premium models into the spotlight, challenging European manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Leading EV makers in mainland China, from BYD and Geely to Leapmotor and Nio, will showcase their latest models at the 10-day show, which starts in Beijing on Friday, having moved up the value chain through the rapid adoption of technological... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351130/chinas-premium-evs-mount-tech-powered-challenge-bmw-mercedes-benz-expo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351130/chinas-premium-evs-mount-tech-powered-challenge-bmw-mercedes-benz-expo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:00:09 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones Plastic bags stuffed with rotting chicken from a smugglers’ boat washed ashore in Thailand have hinted at shortages inside Cambodia, as formal trade between the neighbours has collapsed amid their border conflict and illicit cargo flows surge instead. While demand appears high for smuggled Thai oil, fruit, meat and consumer items like soap, the Cambodian public is maintaining a boycott of Thai businesses in a nationalist backlash that reveals the depth of the enmity now staining relations... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3351045/smuggled-chicken-find-hints-cambodian-shortages-amid-thai-border-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3351045/smuggled-chicken-find-hints-cambodian-shortages-amid-thai-border-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:08 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery producer, has unveiled its upgraded technologies – including lighter battery packs and faster charging modes – which are expected to accelerate the global automotive industry’s electrification drive. The company, which holds more than a 40 per cent share of the global market, aimed to set a healthy tone for the Chinese EV sector to implement its go-global strategy, focusing on constant technological... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350938/catl-drive-electrification-faster-charging-and-higher-performing-batteries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350938/catl-drive-electrification-faster-charging-and-higher-performing-batteries?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:24:14 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia’s decision to raise prices for some non-subsidised fuel products could push more households towards subsidised grades, economists have warned, raising the risk of tighter supplies and piling pressure on a state budget already straining to contain politically sensitive energy costs. State-owned energy company Pertamina’s move highlights Jakarta’s challenge in aligning fuel costs with global markets while insulating lower-income households from rising prices. By allowing the price of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3350903/rising-fuel-costs-indonesia-spark-concern-about-tighter-supplies-subsidy-strain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3350903/rising-fuel-costs-indonesia-spark-concern-about-tighter-supplies-subsidy-strain?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:27 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng Behind China’s landmark crackdown on the e-commerce and food-delivery sectors lies a darker narrative of resistance, secrecy and violence, after regulators uncovered a vast network of “ghost” bakeries and imposed a record fine on seven major platforms. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) levied a 3.6 billion yuan (US$528 million) fine on seven platforms run by PDD Holdings, Meituan, JD.com, Alibaba Group Holding and ByteDance, with the probe revealing a hidden office, violent... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3350891/hidden-office-fractured-bone-violent-resistance-behind-chinas-record-food-safety-fine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3350891/hidden-office-fractured-bone-violent-resistance-behind-chinas-record-food-safety-fine?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:09 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Hong Kong-headquartered Toys ‘R’ Us Asia has pivoted to an experience-focused format and smaller stores in the city following an expansion programme that sought to increase its outlets as it navigates the changing retail landscape. The group planned to close the year with 20 stores in Hong Kong, representing a 40 per cent rise from 2025, said Leo Tsoi, CEO of the toys and collectibles retailer. The strategy allows the group to be more nimble and adapt to the demographic shift, as toys and... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3350624/toys-r-us-game-changer-kidults-compact-shops-fuel-pivot-hong-kong-retail-evolves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3350624/toys-r-us-game-changer-kidults-compact-shops-fuel-pivot-hong-kong-retail-evolves?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:30:13 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Across Asia, a revolution in how people move was already gathering speed. War in Iran just hit the accelerator. Prashant Tiwari was among the first people at his company to go electric when he swapped his petrol car for a Hyundai Kona five years ago. Now, his colleagues at Fusemachines Nepal – an AI firm in Kathmandu – are calling him a prophet. “They say you don’t have any problem,” the 36-year-old product manager said. “I think it is foolish to buy a petrol-run car now, and everyone generally... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3350481/asias-ev-revolution-shifts-overdrive-iran-war-oil-shock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3350481/asias-ev-revolution-shifts-overdrive-iran-war-oil-shock?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:12 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng Rising tensions in the Middle East cast a fresh shadow over the opening of China’s largest trade fair, at a time when the impact of geopolitical shocks is being reflected in the nation’s trade figures. In conversations across sprawling exhibition halls after the Canton Fair opened its doors on Wednesday in China’s manufacturing hub of Guangzhou, domestic exporters and foreign buyers sounded each other out, trying to gauge how far those shocks might ripple through global trade. The threat of US... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3350200/canton-fair-under-middle-east-cloud-sets-records-high-costs-hit-chinas-exporters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3350200/canton-fair-under-middle-east-cloud-sets-records-high-costs-hit-chinas-exporters?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A US jury on Wednesday found that entertainment giant Live Nation wielded monopoly power at its Ticketmaster business, violating federal and state antitrust laws, according to California’s attorney general. A verdict that could have profound repercussions in the concert world came after four days of deliberations, and remedies could include breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for anticompetitive conduct that harmed the music industry and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3350231/ticketmaster-owner-live-nation-ran-illegal-monopoly-us-jury-finds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3350231/ticketmaster-owner-live-nation-ran-illegal-monopoly-us-jury-finds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:52:39 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Malaysia’s government has urged the public to be ready to tighten their belts over an extended period, with the full effects of the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war expected to kick in as soon as June after the country’s economic buffers run their course. Domestic gas production and costly fuel subsidies have so far shielded the country’s population of 34 million from most of the fallout from the war, which has choked supply for 25 per cent of global seaborne oil trade and nearly a fifth... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3350078/malaysians-urged-tighten-their-belts-iran-war-fallout-starts-bite?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3350078/malaysians-urged-tighten-their-belts-iran-war-fallout-starts-bite?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:38:51 +0000 Zhu Wenqian,Daniel Ren Zhu Wenqian,Daniel Ren Chinese companies – from sectors as diverse as bubble tea, budget retail and cars – are expanding their presence in Brazil, with analysts saying the robust trade ties between China and Latin America’s biggest economy could help pave the way for further investment. Mixue Group, known for its affordable ice cream and beverages, opened its first Brazil outlet on Saturday, drawing large crowds in Sao Paulo, the country’s largest city. The opening marked its third store in the Americas after... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349982/chinese-firms-target-brazil-it-becomes-magnet-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349982/chinese-firms-target-brazil-it-becomes-magnet-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:57:44 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s tea-drink market, with estimated annual sales of 370 billion yuan (US$54.2 billion), has become yet another example of involution as brutal price competition threatens to expel thousands of unprofitable small players. The dire scenario represents a rude reminder to those who hope to strike it rich by investing in a fast-growing business in mainland China’s vast consumer market, which abounds with boom-to-bust cycles. “Bubble tea is a dynamic market, and it is never easy to make money... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349847/chinas-tea-drink-shops-thirst-profits-price-wars-dry-prospects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349847/chinas-tea-drink-shops-thirst-profits-price-wars-dry-prospects?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:35:43 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Police broke up a blockade in the centre of Dublin by fuel protesters who have brought much of Ireland to a standstill during the past week, as the government on Sunday prepared to approve cost-cutting measures they hope will end the six days of disruption over soaring costs at the pump. As tractors and trucks that had blocked O’Connell Street were rolling out of the capital, protests continued elsewhere, with police on the other side of the country clashing with demonstrators at the Galway... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349810/ireland-police-remove-farmers-blockades-protesting-fuel-price-rises?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349810/ireland-police-remove-farmers-blockades-protesting-fuel-price-rises?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:13:42 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Hyundai Motor has spearheaded a comeback among foreign marques vying for a slice of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market, launching a new brand built around local technologies and partnerships. The South Korean carmaker, which reversed a six-year sales decline in 2025, said it would soon introduce production models under the Ioniq brand tailored for Chinese consumers, as it steps up its push into the world’s largest automotive market. “The newly launched Ioniq brand in China evolves beyond a... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349776/hyundai-spearheads-foreign-ev-comeback-push-china-ioniq-brand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349776/hyundai-spearheads-foreign-ev-comeback-push-china-ioniq-brand?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 05:20:54 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian American fried chicken chain Popeyes made a comeback in Beijing on Friday, as its first new store in the city drew long queues of diners more than 20 years after the brand closed its original Beijing outlets in 2002 and exited the Chinese market in 2003. Building on its initial return to China in 2020, the chain was now ready to accelerate its expansion this year, as consumer tastes had evolved significantly and it was bullish about growth potential fuelled by young consumers, it said. Analysts... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349659/popeyes-returns-beijing-after-24-years-global-chains-double-down-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3349659/popeyes-returns-beijing-after-24-years-global-chains-double-down-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:00:12 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat China’s factory-gate prices rose for the first time in more than three years in March, in an early sign that the US-Israel war on Iran is starting to affect producers in the world’s second-largest economy. The producer price index (PPI) – a measure of factory-gate prices – increased by 0.5 per cent year on year in March, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday. The result broke a long deflationary period stretching for 41 consecutive months, with rising global... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349582/chinas-factory-gate-prices-rise-first-time-3-years-iran-war-bites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349582/chinas-factory-gate-prices-rise-first-time-3-years-iran-war-bites?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:32:34 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Zhejiang China Commodities City Group, operator of the marketplace that was once the epicentre of global consumer goods trading, is planning an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong to support overseas expansion, as the wave of mainland Chinese firms looking to raise funds in the city continues. The state-owned company, which runs the Yiwu international trade market in east China’s Zhejiang province, said in a filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Wednesday that a share sale in Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349483/operator-yiwu-market-former-mecca-global-consumer-goods-trade-eyes-hong-kong-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349483/operator-yiwu-market-former-mecca-global-consumer-goods-trade-eyes-hong-kong-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:03:52 +0000