Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC COLLECTION

Retail

Included topics:
A staff member demonstrates a pair of smart glasses developed by Hangzhou-based Rokid at a store in Yingtan, in east China’s Jiangxi province, on July 10, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Artificial intelligence

Chinese AI glasses maker Rokid planning Hong Kong IPO: sources

Listing plan comes as giants Apple, Meta, Alibaba, Baidu, Xiaomi and Huawei, plus start-ups like Xreal, Rayneo, anticipate market growth.

Food and Drinks

Bar Leone’s Lorenzo Antinori on Hollywood star encounters after the Oscars

Hong Kong property

Brisk flat sales at Hong Kong project as buyers unfazed by potential rate hikes

How sake breweries near Japan’s Mount Fuji are taking the drink to new heights

From elevated premium spirits to sparkling sake and even a rosé-inspired red sake, two Yamanashi sake makers are elevating the drink.

The wide selection of sakes available from Shichiken, a brewery in Daigahara, Hokuto city, in Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture, includes sparkling sake collaborations with French chef Alain Ducasse (pictured on the left and right). Photo: Shichiken

China reports 99% cost cut on military-grade infrared chips

Researchers have developed a new way to make high-end infrared chips that could slash their cost and boost smartphone cameras, self-driving cars.

20

The latest beauty drops from Chanel, Le Labo, Make Up For Ever and more

Grab some Paddington Bear themed soaps or wardrobe staples evoking your self-care routine, and how far would you go for a comb?

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

How diamonds are reshaping luxury watches, from Chanel to Cartier

Luxury maisons including Van Cleef & Arpels and Jaeger-LeCoultre are going beyond bling, revolutionising horology with functional diamonds.

Chanel’s J12 Bleu Diamond Tourbillon is a limited edition watch. Photo: Handout

Opinion | The danger in the Global South’s pursuit of AI as a magical cure

Rushing in without local R&D, literacy or governance risks leaving countries as testing grounds and passive consumers of foreign tech.

videocam

Hong Kong developers test homebuyers with price increases after sell-outs

‘This is a classic recovery-phase strategy: testing price elasticity without undermining the building momentum,’ an analyst says.

Chinese AI rivals clash over Anthropic’s OpenClaw exit amid global token crunch

Chinese companies are competing to offer the cheapest alternatives to premium US services from the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic.

A lobster-shaped cutout representing OpenClaw stands outside the Baidu offices in Beijing, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong’s hottest new openings, from Le Le’s launch to Thong Smith’s debut

Progressive Vietnamese arrives in the form of Le Le, while Bangkok’s cult-favourite boat noodle specialist Thong Smith debuts in Wan Chai.

Dry-aged duck served three ways at Le Le. Photo: Le Le

How chefs are reimagining avocado beyond guacamole

Just as good in ice cream and cocktails as on toast or in salad, the fruit known as ‘green gold’ offers all-round benefits and great taste.

Georgina Wilson-Burnand’s style secrets and travel dreams

The TV presenter and Sunnies entrepreneur shares her style icons including Carolyn Bessette, Manila hang-outs, and love for gifting locally woven pieces.

China’s rigid corporate culture slows AI adoption, ex-OpenAI executive says

China’s tech-savvy consumers embrace AI, but rigid corporate hierarchies hold back enterprises, Zack Kass says.

5
China has a very “techno-centric consumer”, while the US has a very “techno-centric enterprise”, according to a former OpenAI executive. Photo: Shutterstock

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

How Okinawan food evolved with Chinese influences to become ‘truly unique’

Long ago, Okinawa was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom, a trade hub linking Japan to Asia. Today, dishes like goya champuru reflect this history.

videocam

Who is Xu Rui, the ex-ByteDance executive tapped by Meta to lead AI hardware?

The veteran Chinese executive will lead a team that develops AI devices at the Facebook parent’s superintelligence unit.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

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

Polo shirt reboot: how Ralph Lauren and Chanel are redefining preppy

Gigi Hadid’s Guest in Residence has both short- and long-sleeved polos, while Miuccia Prada’s takes have ranged from subversive to buttoned-up.

Forced to stop selling stinky tofu, this Taiwanese restaurant fought back

The owner of Southern California’s Golden Leaf reveals how a neighbour’s vendetta has seen the popular street food dropped from his menu.

Guangzhou rule on handmade dim sum sparks debate on heritage food in Hong Kong

Effective on May 1, the rule mandates that operators must explicitly state whether their dim sum dishes are made using traditional on-site methods.

A large bamboo basket filled with different types of dim sum. Photo: Nora Tam

Crispy, chewy, soft: why texture rules South Korea’s viral food trends

Korean food trends are prioritising texture over taste thanks to social media videos in which food can be experienced as a tactile sensation.

Texture, not taste, is driving South Korea’s viral food trends. Think chewy, crispy snacks like butter rice cakes (pictured) and gelatinous ice goby sashimi. Photo: courtesy of Mond Cookie

Letters | Hong Kong consumers need not be at sea when it comes to oysters

Readers discuss safety when processing and consuming oysters, the handling of an incident on the MTR’s East Rail line, and school classroom management.

Reflections | History of Chinese flatbreads reflects how food has echoes of faraway places

How ‘hubing’ came to China is reflected in Hong Kong’s Jenny Bakery cookies smelling like Malaysia’s Rotiboy coffee buns, Wee Kek Koon says.

Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

The region’s creators are going global, but the structures to sustain them are still catching up.

videocam
Illustration: Mario Rivera

Beijing mandates internal ethics committees for all Chinese AI companies

Since 2022, big tech firms including Alibaba and Baidu have established internal science and technology ethics review committees.

An AI-themed display is seen at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Centre in Beijing, March 25, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Tencent expands OpenClaw suite with enterprise tool amid China’s ‘lobster’ craze

ClawPro tool promises quick AI agent deployment, giving enterprises control over models, tokens and security.

Memory crunch bites: Xiaomi lifts handset prices amid supply chain squeeze

Price rises of nearly US$30 reflect surging memory costs, with analysts pointing to AI-driven demand and tight supply across the chip sector.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Retail
The latest news on retail and the retail sector, including shopping, malls and shopping centres, goods and services and merchandising. Also covers ecommerce, consumer spending, retail sales, payments and checkout, NFC and consumer rights.