TOPIC

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

US-China trade war

Why new US curbs on China’s tech tests could raise prices for American consumers

videocam
IPO

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

China manufacturing

‘Full of gunpowder’: price wars of China’s carmakers deepen, draw Beijing’s ire

A barrage of official condemnation over ‘involuted’ auto sector comes after major industry players offered big discounts amid overcapacity concerns.

videocam
20
Workers assemble electric vehicles at a factory in Chongqing, China. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

8
Japan

Japanese shoppers queue for hours to buy cheap rice amid soaring prices

Stores have started selling rice from the government’s stockpile to feed demand for the staple.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Retailing

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
China consumption

Mission: Impossible? China faces box office blues during Dragon Boat Festival

Film ticket sales estimated to decline compared to previous holiday – but analysts say long-term trends remain positive.

videocam
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.

6
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.

The government will conduct a study to analyse the spending habits and demands of various age groups among the elderly. Photo: Edmond So
Japan

As Japan’s rice prices soar, scammers cash in on hunger for cheap deals

Complaints related to scam websites claiming to sell the staple at heavily discounted prices have spiked since March.

A customer looks at rice on sale at a store in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong economy

Outside In | Mark Twain was wrong. Travel is not as fatal to prejudice as hoped

For every traveller open to learning from our differences, there is another impregnably confident in the superiority of his or her culture.

videocam
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.

Hong Kong economy

Wedding woes as Hong Kong firm’s suspected closure leaves couples in crisis

Complaints lodged against Ps Wedding & Event Decoration with more than HK$330,000 losses reported to the consumer watchdog.

Customs, which enforces the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, has posted a note on the door that says it is investigating the case. Photo: Handout
China consumption

China stops Labubu, Molly doll smugglers as prices soar, fights reported overseas

Driven by high-profile celebrities and social media, consumer demand for the toys has spiked – posing problems at some Chinese airports.

videocam
People look at collectable designer art toy Labubu at a Pop Mart pop-up store in Siam Center shopping mall in Bangkok on May 6, 2025. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla’s brand is losing its shine, lagging BYD and Xiaomi: UBS poll

Tesla lost favour with global customers, with 18 per cent of buyers considering it their top pick last year, down from 22 per cent, UBS says.

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Electric & new energy vehicles

Beijing asks carmakers, trading platforms to clean up used-vehicle market

Ministry of Commerce gathers industry groups, major carmakers and trading platforms for second-hand cars.

Vehicles stuck in traffic in Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE
Retailing

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.

videocam
Shein

Shein risks fines over breaches of EU consumer law

Chinese-founded e-commerce platform is working with regulators to address their concerns, a company spokesperson said.

Japan

Japan to cut rice prices by selling directly to retailers

Rice prices have soared in recent months, creating concerns for Japan’s unpopular leadership ahead of upper house elections due in July.

Japan’s new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visits the rice section at a supermarket in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: Kyodo
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
Japan

Explainer | High prices, low supply, vexed consumers: how Japan’s rice crisis got so bad

‘If this continues, we will stop eating rice,’ a customer says, as prices soar and shortages persist despite government intervention.

videocam
Electric & new energy vehicles

Xiaomi’s YU7 SUV aims to dislodge Tesla’s bestselling Model Y from pole position

Sales of the much-anticipated vehicle, which has a driving range of 835km, will start in July at prices that have yet to be announced.

videocam
15
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.

Kenny Wong is the creator of one of the country’s bestselling IP characters, Molly. Photo: Edmond So
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.

videocam
China consumption

China’s theme park capital in ‘stage of rapid growth’ as foreign capital invests

From Peppa Pig to Lego, Shanghai leads the way in attracting global amusement parks – a sector free from trade tensions, analysts say.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement