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Retailing

Retailing
Latest news and features on retailing with a particular focus on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia, covering consumer goods and services, retail strategies, shopping habits, sales results and trends.
Customers browse iPhones displayed in an Apple store in the Huangpu district in Shanghai. Photo: AFP
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.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong ‘silver economy’ moves to boost spending by ‘5% annually over 3 years’

Hong Kong economy

Who’s got the next Labubu? Hong Kong creators eye a slice of ‘goods economy’ pie

E-commerce

PDD faces profit challenge amid Trump tariffs, domestic e-commerce competition

‘Macroeconomic uncertainties and significant investments in the ecosystem’ are expected to continue affecting PDD’s earnings outlook, UBS analysts say.

Changes in US trade policies have created significant pressure for merchants on PDD Holdings’ Temu shopping platform. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s Gale Well suffers US$6.5 million loss on sale of 2 shops

The real estate investment firm has sold a number of properties in the last few months, while some of its assets are still on the market.

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Consumers

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.

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Lisa from Blackpink is a fan of Pop Mart’s Labubu. Photo: Instagram/@labubuofficial
Hong Kong property

Japanese retailers capitalise on Hong Kong’s retail property slump to expand

Osaka-based 3Coins store to open in mid-July in Hysan Place; firm plans to sell Japanese grocery products and other items.

E-commerce

China looks to rein in e-commerce platform commissions, support small businesses

New draft rules from China’s top market regulator would limit commission fees charged by e-commerce platforms, with a focus on supporting small businesses.

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
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.

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.

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Alibaba

Alibaba lands US$250 million convertible bonds deal with selfie app giant Meitu

The strategic collaboration is expected to serve as ‘the foundation of a long-term partnership’ between Meitu and Alibaba.

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Meitu’s strategic collaboration with Alibaba Group Holding covers areas such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo: Shutterstock
Profile

Shonee Mirchandani on her family’s Bookazine legacy

The second generation of the Bookazine dynasty, Shonee Mirchandani, talks learning to live with the family business.

Shonee Mirchandani, at Bookazine Social, in Tai Kwun. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
China's economic recovery

China’s economic resilience muffles speculation over imminent fiscal stimulus

China’s exports and industrial output beat market expectations in April, despite the impact of US tariffs.

China manufacturing

China’s manufacturing resilient in April despite US tariffs; consumption softens

China’s industrial output rose 6.1 per cent, beating estimates, while domestic consumption up 5.1 per cent – slightly below expectations.

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China consumption

Have ticket, will travel? China’s concertgoers spur tourism spending spree

Eager fans are criss-crossing China to see their beloved stars – and spending while doing it, providing a much-needed consumption boost.

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Tickets to comedian Jimmy O. Yang’s upcoming shows in Hong Kong were quickly snatched up. Photo: Instagram / @jimmyoyang
Hong Kong property

How Chinese retailers are making the most of Hong Kong’s falling rents

Some 35 per cent of retailers entering Hong Kong this year are from mainland China, compared with 29 per cent last year, CBRE says.

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Fashion

3 insider labels from Milan: Fornasetti, Massimo Alba and Lorenzi Milano

Book a tour of the atelier of Fornasetti’s late founder Piero, in the heart of Milan, or head over to Brera to check out Massimo Alba’s menswear – the epitome of quiet luxury.

China-EU relations

‘It’s crazy’: inside Europe’s growing obsession with Chinese blind-box toys

The craze is the latest sign that Chinese brands are becoming more skilled at winning over Western consumers.

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Shoppers look through the window of a Pop Mart store near the Louvre Museum in Paris. The Chinese toy giant has attracted a devoted fan base in Europe with its Labubu and Crybaby collectible dolls. Photo: Xinhua
Shenzhen

Chinese fast-fashion group opens Urban Revivo store in Hong Kong amid sales challenges

FMG opened its flagship Urban Revivo store in Tsim Sha Tsui on Friday, taking up 8,750 sq ft of retail space in Harbour City.

Urban Revivo’s first Hong Kong outlet in Harbour City opens its door on May 16, 2025. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong property

Tenants like Donki get rental breaks in Hong Kong’s retail gloom

Hong Kong landlords offer significant discounts to attract tenants amid ongoing retail challenges, reduced tourist spending.

Vietnam

From Prada to Lego, Vietnam cracks down on fakes after US tariff threat

Documents reveal a finance ministry directive targeting fake Gucci bags, Samsung devices and Lego bricks as Hanoi tries to appease Washington.

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Food and Drinks

Starbucks, Luckin get buzz from smaller-city coffee sales in China

‘There is still ample room for growth in lower-tier markets,’ analyst says.

People pass a Starbucks cafe in Beijing on April 9, 2025. Photo: AFP
China economy

Opinion | For Chinese consumers, buying local has become a statement of national pride

What defines China is shifting, from what it makes to how it spends, as consumption becomes an emotional and cultural act.

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Pedestrians walk past a billboard advertising Huawei’s Pura X Classic Edition smartphone on March 22 in Chongqing, China. The company has positioned itself as a symbol of resilience and national technological independence, turning each product launch into a story of perseverance and ambition. Photo: Getty Images
Alibaba

Jack Ma’s Alibaba visit sparks nostalgia over company’s humble start

A cheerful mood at Alibaba’s annual event for friends and family, as the company navigates business challenges.

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China deflation

China’s consumer prices fall in April, fuelling fears of deflation

The country’s consumer price index dropped by 0.1 per cent last month as trade war raises concerns over deflationary pressures.

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