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Latest news, analysis and opinion on ecommerce, covering new technology, consumer habits and the growth of digital payment options.
Chinese regulators are warning platforms that demanding the “lowest price” from vendors may be deemed monopolistic under new draft guidelines. Photo: Shutterstock
China technology

No ‘lowest-price’ requirement: China warns platforms on monopolistic tactics

Regulators tell platforms that demanding the ‘lowest price’ from vendors may not be permitted under new draft guidelines.

China consumption

Reporter’s notebook: home test kit takes headache out of Beijing healthcare

China-EU relations

EU targets China’s Shein and Temu with new fees on low-value parcels

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Singapore

As more department stores in Singapore struggle, can they adapt and survive?

The closure of more Isetan outlets comes in the wake of brands like Robinsons, Daimaru and SOGO that have ceased operations in Singapore.

The outlet of the Isetan department store chain at NEX shopping mall, which will close in April next year. Photo: YouTube/Singapore Scenery and Places
China-EU relations

Temu’s EU headquarters raided over Chinese subsidy concerns

The raid comes amid increasing concern within the European Union over cheap imports from China.

Artificial intelligence

Bill Gates’ daughter lands US$30 million for star-backed AI firm

The capital raise will value the start-up at US$180 million and comes just months after Phia completed its first US$8 million funding round.

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China consumption

China delivers record 180 billion parcels in 11 months as shoppers chase deals

Express deliveries have reached as high as 777 million per day in 2025 as China’s consumers turn to cut-price online platforms.

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Parcels are piled up near an apartment building in Beijing during the Singles’ Day shopping festival in November 2020. China’s consumers continue to turn to e-commerce platforms to find cut-price deals. Photo: AP
Alibaba

Alibaba launches US$537 Quark AI glasses to challenge devices from Meta, Xiaomi

The glasses are expected to ‘usher in a revolution in human-computer interaction in the AI era’, Alibaba vice-president Wu Jia says.

Alibaba

Alibaba to lead AI capital spending among Chinese firms amid strong demand

The group’s intention to boost AI-related capital outlay reflects its aim to spearhead China’s efforts in the race for global AI leadership.

Fashion

8 viral tote bags: Emily Ratajkowski’s Daunt Books tote and more

Trader Joe’s micro bags have brought totes into the conversation again – here are a few that have taken off and are gaining cult status.

Emily Ratajkowski with a Daunt Books tote. Photo: Getty Images
Artificial intelligence

US, Chinese firms add AI shopping bells and whistles to dominate all-in-one apps

OpenAI’s new ‘shopping research’ tool resembles popular AI shopping services on Chinese e-commerce platforms like Tmall and Taobao.

Leading US and Chinese artificial intelligence firms are ramping up integration of e-commerce solutions in their flagship consumer products in the race to become the “everything app” of the future. Photo: Handout
Alibaba

Alibaba posts 5% rise in quarterly revenue on AI, cloud momentum

‘We have entered into an investment phase to build long-term strategic value in AI technologies and infrastructure,’ CEO Eddie Wu Yongming says.

Italy

Italian police raid Amazon sites in probe involving Chinese goods

E-commerce giant Amazon is suspected of acting as a ‘Trojan horse’ in Italy customs fraud case, court document says.

JD.com

JD.com steps up on-demand local services battle with food app and review platform

The e-commerce giant is betting on food delivery and an anti-fake review platform to sharpen its challenge to leaders Meituan and Alibaba.

FILE PHOTO: JD.COM logo is seen in this illustration taken, February 11, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Artificial intelligence

China targets AI-powered price manipulation in new antitrust guidelines

Market regulator SAMR outlines risks of collusion, unfair subsidies and walled gardens in online platforms.

The guidelines zero in on the sophisticated, often opaque ways in which online platforms with significant market power can exploit technological advantages to exclude rivals and harm consumer interests. Photo: Shutterstock
Alibaba

AI puts wind in the sales of Singles’ Day as Alibaba and JD.com hit retail records

From algorithmic promotions to AI chatbots, Alibaba and JD.com use new tools to hit Singles’ Day records and defy a sluggish economy.

China exports

Chinese vendors on Shein, Temu face tax changes at home and abroad

While the EU ends a duty exemption, a reform of China’s tax regime may present the bigger challenge for cross-border sellers.

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Sovereign wealth fund

Singapore’s Temasek invests in WeRide, Pony.ai to boost China tech holdings

Temasek’s latest deals reflect the 51-year-old investment giant’s focus on forward-looking technologies.

Temasek Holdings invests around US$13.7 million in combined shareholdings in WeRide and Pony.ai. Photo: Shutterstock
China trade

China sellers brace as EU moves to tighten rules on low-value parcels, as US did

Merchants warn that margins will be squeezed, consumer prices may rise, and firms may shift markets as compliance costs and customs hits bite cross-border trade.

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Artificial intelligence

Alibaba’s wholesale platform empowers merchants with AI tool to source products

Alibaba.com, which serves more than 200,000 merchants worldwide, will make its new AI Mode search tool available next month.

Italy

Italy plans tax on low-value parcels, targeting China’s Shein and Temu

The move seeks to protect the local fashion industry from cheap imports and ‘non-European aggression’.

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The Shein logo is seen during the Urban Ritual fashion show organised by Chinese company in Milan in October. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korea’s growing crisis of illegal puppy sales on YouTube spark concerns

One advocate group claims many animals are bred in poor conditions, with dogs kept in cramped, unsanitary cages and bred repeatedly for profit.

Livestreams of pet sales on YouTube. Photo: Youtube
Shein

Shein eyes US$2 billion profit in 2025 despite Trump tariffs

The upbeat full-year outlook comes as the fast-fashion e-commerce giant works to retain investor confidence ahead of a long-delayed IPO.

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Alibaba

Alibaba’s ‘instant commerce’ bet pays off: Taobao hits 100 million new orders

From milk tea to smartphones in under an hour, Taobao Shangou gains traction as retail giant uses subsidies and speed to fend off rivals.

China-France relations

Shein wants dialogue with French government over website suspension

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s shock decision came on same day the fast-fashion giant opened its first permanent store in Paris.

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Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein opens its first permanent store at the Paris department store BHV. Photo: Reuters
Start-ups

Tencent-backed Uzbek start-up eyes pre-IPO funding round in Hong Kong

Uzum co-founder Nikolay Seleznev is looking at a potential listing in 2027, including in Hong Kong, London, Abu Dhabi and Nasdaq.

Uzum operates e-commerce, fintech and banking services in Uzbekistan. Photo: Handout
Alibaba

Alibaba rebrands food delivery app Ele.me in instant retail push

A beta version of the updated app, available to select users, adopts Taobao’s signature orange colour instead of Ele.me’s blue theme.

Alibaba

Alibaba boosts instant commerce drive with US$281 million convenience store plan

A network of Taobao-branded partner convenience stores is expected to roll out in more than 200 cities across the mainland.

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