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Consumers

Consumers
News about consumer spending and shifting shopping habits from around the world with a focus on developments in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Chinese e-commerce giants Shein and Temu have already raised their prices in response to the elimination of the de minimis exemption. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Explainer | What Hongkongers should expect with official end of ‘de minimis’ exemption by US

The Post unpacks consequences of end of rule that allowed products valued at US$800 or below to be shipped to United States duty-free.

China consumption

China’s Labour Day travel boom bodes well for spending, but box office fizzles

US-China relations

Opinion | US tariffs a wake-up call for China to improve labour standards

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E-commerce

Temu embraces local US sellers as Trump plugs ‘de minimis’ loophole

The shopping site is shifting its US business to a ‘local fulfilment model’, as tariff exemptions for low-value Chinese goods come to an end.

Temu has changed its US business model in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Photo: AFP
Video gaming

Xbox joins PlayStation in raising console prices amid US tariffs

Hefty levies imposed by Trump on manufacturing hubs such as Japan, China and Vietnam have led to a surge in console prices.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong welcomes 213,000 mainland tourists as ‘golden week’ break starts

With Labour Day also a public holiday in Hong Kong, more than 281,000 residents head off for other destinations.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Popular Hong Kong clinic chain in hot water amid suspected closure

Many customers outraged after prepaying thousands for their children’s vaccinations at clinics under Alliance Medical Group.

A woman checks on the operations of an Alliance Medical Group clinic in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Nora Tam
Malaysia

Nasi lemak, beef rendang prices soar as food inflation bites Malaysians

New data shows prices for popular meals outpacing official inflation and wage growth.

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Hong Kong tourism

Pandas, Bun Festival among Hong Kong’s ‘golden week’ trends for mainland tourists

Many mainland visitors turn to social media platform RedNote for top recommendations of things to do over the holiday.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Global carmakers ‘go local’ in China to claw back EV market share

More than a dozen new EV models from foreign giants at Auto Shanghai feature the latest Chinese technologies in battery, digital cockpit and self-driving.

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Nio’s ET9 electric car on display on the first day of the Shanghai Auto show. Photo: EPA-EFE
Banking & finance

Chinese toymaker Pop Mart launches new pop culture magazine called Playground

Pop Mart’s new magazine, Playground, explores social connections and seeks to unlock opportunities for its intellectual properties.

Pop Mart’s new Playground magazine. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Opinion | China has the upper hand in trade war as Trump flounders

Beyond defending its interests, Beijing’s long preparations for the tariff war are primed to reshape the future global order.

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E-commerce

Labubu mania takes China’s Pop Mart to top of US App Store charts

Before the recent surge in interest in Chinese e-commerce platforms, Pop Mart’s business was already booming.

Hong Kong stock market

Unitree leads influx of mainland companies eyeing IPOs in Hong Kong

Surge in listing plans augurs well for city’s effort to claw way back to top of global ranking of fundraising destinations.

Shanghai-based Auntea Jenny aims to raise up to US$35 million in a Hong Kong share listing. Photo: Sohu
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Amid Hong Kong’s focus on tourist numbers, have we forgotten our workers?

Marches for workers’ rights may be a thing of the past but serious issues remain, from imported labour to sexual harassment and construction safety.

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Workers at a construction site in Mong Kok on September 17, 2024. The Observatory recorded a temperature of 35.5 degrees in the afternoon, the hottest ever for mid-autumn. Photo: Jelly Tse
Electric & new energy vehicles

Pure EVs regain market share in China on lithium cost, battery technology

Lithium prices are just one-ninth of the peak in 2022, allowing EV makers to win over new buyers in mainland China.

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China's economic recovery

China puts onus on stability as Beijing vows domestic support amid US trade war

China’s Politburo says authorities will roll out specific plans to companies and individuals affected by the trade war.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Digital cockpit is the key to the Russian EV buyer’s wallet, vendors say

With large screens and high-quality audio systems, Chinese cars are ready to run infotainment software Russian drivers favour, vendor says.

Visitors trying out an in-car entertainment system at the 2025 Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Photo: Intel Corporation.
Hong Kong economy

Will Hong Kong firms bear the brunt of Labour Day ‘golden week’ exodus?

Expectations low among business leaders, as some residents likely to set off on five-day getaways.

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Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Nicholas Tse fans fume over obstructed views at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium

Lawmakers call for organisers to be more transparent about seat views when selling tickets.

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IPO

Chinese restaurant chain makes its fifth attempt to list in Hong Kong

The Hangzhou-based budget-dining chain has yet to reveal the amount it plans to raise from the stock offering.

Chinese restaurant chain Green Tea operates 489 restaurants in more than two dozen mainland Chinese cities. Photo: Green Tea Group
Banking & finance

Pop Mart prices Labubu 3.0 collection at 99 yuan each

Company raises prices in US and moves more production to Vietnam to combat margin pressure amid tariff uncertainty.

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Pop Mart is introducing Labubu 3.0, a colourful set of seven figurines from the Norse mythology-inspired “The Monsters” series, globally on Thursday. Photo: Handout
China manufacturing

‘Harder you work, less you gain’: China state media slams excessive competition

Economic Daily commentary says ‘neijuan’ – a self-defeating cycle of too much competition – is still prevalent and poses a threat to sustainable growth.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Hesai to quadruple lidar output to extend lead in laser range finders

The company plans to boost production to 2 million units this year from about 502,000 units in 2024, founder and CEO David Li Yifan says.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Nio to join fray in right-hand-drive car markets

Company’s Firefly minicar, priced around US$16,400, will be competitive in global markets despite tariffs, president says.

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William Li, CEO of Chinese EV maker Nio, poses next to the company’s ET9, in Shanghai on April 22, 2025. Photo: Reuters
China economy

Opinion | More of China’s spending power needs to be unleashed. Here’s how

Childcare, healthcare and elderly care are precisely the parts of China’s consumer demand that remain significantly untapped.

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People visit a popular shopping district near Jingan Temple in Shanghai on October 12. Photo: AP
China economy

My Take | China’s tariff opportunity: US trade war could spur needed economic reforms

As it did during the Asian financial crisis, China has a chance to rethink its economy in a way that will lay the groundwork for future growth.

China's economic recovery

How showpiece sports events offer China big rewards in hard times

The game is on as local authorities across country try to capitalise on interest in all things sport – an area in which consumers are willing to splash extra cash.

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