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TOPIC

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.
A Labubu plush toy is displayed in a Pop Mart shop in Shanghai on August 29, 2025. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

Pop Mart’s Labubu headed to big screen in collaboration with Sony Pictures

The Chinese toymaker’s star character will appear in a film co-written and helmed by the director of Paddington and Wonka.

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Fashion

In their words: Mimi Tang defines 20 years of setting trends in Hong Kong

Mainland China

Guess says it will shut all mainland China stores amid retail rethink

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China GDP

China’s economy starts 2026 strongly as retail sales, investment rise

Before the Iran energy crisis and latest round of China-US trade talks, retail spending grew 2.8 per cent while fixed-asset investment increased 1.8 per cent.

People shop at a duty-free shopping mall in Sanya, south China’s Hainan province, on December 18, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
China property

China mall shuffle: as EVs exit, who’s filling the ground-floor showrooms?

New demand for mall space comes from brands riding fresh trends, including Unitree Robotics, Pop Mart and Lululemon.

Chow Tai Fook

Bling it on: Chow Tai Fook’s US$115,000 gold AirPods case sparks online buzz

Gold gadgets and hair clips ignite discussion online as the jeweller looks to the ultra-rich to set the gold standard for luxury spending.

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong developers Swire, Wharf report profit growth amid valuation pressure

Swire’s underlying profit rose on asset disposals, while falling property valuations weighed on results at both Swire and Wharf.

Swire’s underlying profit rose on asset disposals, but falling property valuations weighed on results. Photo: Nora Tam
Beauty

Romi Beauty’s founders on creating multitasking products for Asian skin

Arissa Cheo, Yoyo Cao and Lin Ting sat down with Style as the Singaporean make-up and skincare brand lands at Sephora in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong property

Middle East tensions add uncertainty to Hong Kong retail rents, Wharf REIC says

The landlord of Harbour City and Times Square says retail recovery remains fragile, with higher mall traffic failing to boost spending.

China deflation

China’s inflation rises after holiday spending spree. Is 2% target reachable?

The consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the first two months of 2026, though analysts remain concerned about long-term deflation risks.

Shoppers stand near a Chinese New Year display in central Beijing. Photo: AP
China property

China’s shoppers head for suburban outlets, a bright spot in retail property

Outlet spending nearly doubles to around US$36 billion over five years, prompting investment surge while urban malls suffer high vacancies.

Consumers shop at Florentia Village in suburban Shanghai. Photo: Maggie Zhang
Fashion

Jeff Staple, designer of the Nike Pigeon, talks hype, sneakers and streetwear

The streetwear icon just opened a Hong Kong store and launched a new line with Kenji Wong – and once pursued his first-ever collaboration with Brooks for 8 years.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s retail sales rise 5.5% in January as tourists loosen purse strings

Census and Statistics Department says retail sales for January worth HK$37.3 billion, marking ninth straight month of growth since May 2025.

Hong Kong property

McDonald’s sells Hong Kong shop outside disposal plan for US$11.9 million

Latest sale of Hong Kong restaurant site by the Chicago-based food chain reflects a retail valuation reset as rents stay subdued.

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McDonald’s Hong Kong announced that from January 1, the average salary increase for restaurant management groups will be 3 per cent. However, the company is also selling off restaurants across Hong Kong as the retail property sector remains under pressure. Photo: Sam Tsang
Smartphones

Will Apple’s low-cost iPhone 17e make a splash in China’s smartphone market?

Presales for the new entry-level iPhone start on Wednesday, with a wide release set for March 11.

Apple’s new iPhone 17e model comes in black, white and soft pink colours. Photo: Handout
Australia

The View | 5 reasons Australia’s physical retail is uniquely resilient

Several factors contribute to the outperformance of the Australian retail sector, including its relative insulation from digital disruption.

Mainland China

Warm winter no match: China’s sportswear sector posts surprise growth

Policy support, Chinese New Year demand and Winter Olympics exposure lift China’s sportswear makers, with Li Ning and Anta leading gains.

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Pop Mart

Pop Mart’s Merodi Hong Kong debut highlights challenges of sustaining IP success

Toymaker’s latest character launch draws tepid demand, raising questions about the company’s reliance on Labubu’s success.

The Merodi After School series features a mischievous little girl with the magical ability to talk to animals. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong property

SHKP, Hong Kong’s bellwether developer, posts 36% jump in first-half net profit

The company plans to launch many new residential projects over the next 10 months, including the second phase of Cullinan Harbour in Kai Tak.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Delvaux CEO Jean-Marc Loubier on the new K11 Musea flagship

The former LVMH executive has always been invested in Asia – and the new Hong Kong store is a testament to this.

China consumption

China’s weak consumption gets Lunar New Year boost

An 8.6 per cent increase in Lunar New Year spending is a rare bright spot in Chinese efforts to bolster domestic demand.

Spring Festival traffic. Photo: AFP
Artificial intelligence

Demand for AI eyewear surges during China’s Spring Festival

AI glasses form part of the government’s national subsidy programme, which includes smartphones, tablets and smartwatches.

A woman checks a pair of Rokid AI glasses during an event in Hangzhou, the capital of eastern Zhejiang province, in November last year. Photo: AFP
Icons and Influencers

How Amanda Cheung is mixing charity, cocktails and Hong Kong heritage

The community-minded creative on championing Hong Kong culture through F&B and family legacy – particularly her charity work with the First Initiative Foundation (FIF).

China property

Empty shops, falling rents: commercial property suffers in China retail slump

China’s key shopping street rents have fallen to 2018 levels as cautious consumers cut spending and landlords lower prices to fill vacancies.

China travel

Chinese shoppers are Asia’s biggest airport spenders, study finds

China’s travellers outspend even their Indian and Saudi peers, splashing twice the regional average on luxury goods, airport retail study says.

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Customers shop at a duty-free store in China’s southern Hainan province. Chinese travellers spend more at airports than any other passengers in Asia, according to a new study. Photo: Getty Images
Gold in Hong Kong

Investment gold retailers move into vacant Hong Kong high-street shops

‘We see overwhelming demand for investment gold coins and bars,’ retailer San Gold Coins’ Sophia Chen says.

Investment gold retailers expect to draw first-time buyers and younger savers with move to high-street shops. Photo: Shutterstock
Britain

Co-founder of British retailer Asos dies after falling from balcony in Thailand

Quentin Griffiths’ friend told police the Briton had been worried about lawsuits from his former wife, a Thai national.

China consumption

China targets foreign tourists for Lunar New Year ‘consumption feast’

Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday.

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