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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.
Tiffany & Co.’s new Lee Garden store in Hong Kong will open its Blue Box Cafe in June. Photo: Handout
Style Edit

Style Edit: Tiffany & Co. brings New York flair to Hong Kong’s Lee Gardens

The American jewellery house’s CEO and president Anthony Ledru on how the city’s vibrant hospitality culture makes Hong Kong a priority for the brand.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui tops Asia luxury retail rents – but loses global crown

Fashion

Chloe Chen’s Repulse Bay boutique blends vintage charm with modern elegance

Hong Kong economy

Hongkongers pack major supermarkets amid ‘price war’ on eve of Mother’s Day

ParknShop and Wellcome offer 12 per cent off purchases, while HKTVmall tries to lure customers with up to 15 per cent off at physical stores.

Crowds of customers at a Wellcome store in Causeway Bay on Saturday. Photo: Edmond So
China-EU relations

Tall story? Sophie la Girafe, France’s national toy, revealed to be Chinese-made

The maker of Sophie la Girafe reportedly ran a ‘fake’ factory in France for years, while secretly producing the iconic toy in China.

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China consumption

Shenzhen’s economic dilemma: soaring GDP, stagnant consumption

Shenzhen’s retail sales barely rose in the first quarter despite strong GDP growth, a sign of the Chinese tech hub’s unbalanced development.

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong residential property upturn drives recovery in office, retail sectors

Shop rents will ‘turn positive by year-end’ but likely post a 3 per cent decline for the entire year, Morgan Stanley says.

A view of Admiralty and Central is seen through the glass windows of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, April 14, 2026. Photo: Jelly Tse
China property

Shenzhen office market gains steam on tech and services demand

Leasing activity in core districts is picking up, driven by tech occupiers, but analysts warn oversupply will keep vacancies elevated.

Beauty

8 pharmacy products to buy when in France, from barrier balm to micellar water

From Caudalie’s face mist to Nuxe’s dry oil for body and hair, these are the finds that genuinely earn their place in your luggage.

Consumers

Ikea to open first small-format Beijing store to tap changing consumer trends

The Tongzhou district outlet marks the furniture retailer’s pivot to compact formats as China’s property slump hits home-furnishing demand.

Ikea’s smaller stores focus on design services and curated product selections, rather than maintaining extensive on-site inventory, according to analysts. Photo: Handout
China GDP

Guangdong’s rule as China’s GDP king faces an unprecedented threat to the crown

A rival provincial powerhouse, with a GDP as big as some G7 nations, is becoming a hub for strategic emerging sectors while outpacing the national economic growth rate.

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A crane lifts a container at a port this month in China’s Jiangsu province, which has been threatening to end Guangdong’s uninterrupted reign as the nation’s largest provincial economy since the late 1980s. Photo: China Daily via Reuters
Pop Mart

Pop Mart comes with a cool idea for red-hot Labubu: mini-fridges

The Chinese toymaker is launching two limited-edition Labubu-themed mini-refrigerators priced at US$878 each.

China manufacturing

China’s industrial profits hit 6-month high amid Iran war price spikes

Fuel-processing sector pivots to profit while tech gains shield margins from modest revenue growth, highlighting an efficiency-led rally over a demand recovery.

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Artificial intelligence

Beijing sounds alarm over urgent need to clean up online ads

Market watchdog flags AI abuse and traffic-driven tactics as it launches first campaign to overhaul online advertising.

China’s top market regulator is set to launch a six-month crackdown on the country’s internet advertising sector. Photo: Shutterstock
Asia travel

This mall is one of the best places to buy anime and fan merch in Seoul

I’Park Mall in Seoul’s Yongsan district focuses on fandoms built around animations, games and character-based intellectual property.

People shop for products themed around Japanese animations at a store in I’Park Mall in Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea. Photo: The Korea Times
Fashion

A. Society’s founders on the Hong Kong eyewear brand’s rise to global cool

As Asian eyewear labels command growing attention, A. Society has launched an enhanced version of its A. Custom in-store personalisation service.

Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | Why a ParknShop-Wellcome merger isn’t cause for worry – we have plenty of choice

A potential monopoly involving Hong Kong’s two biggest supermarket chains is not as bad as some think, at least for those who shop around.

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Hong Kong property

‘Kidults’ and nostalgia drive Toys ‘R’ Us pivot as Hong Kong retail evolves

The retailer is refining its operations with smaller outlets and lifestyle products to capture new demand from Gen Z and young adults.

Toys and collectibles are no longer bought only by children but increasingly by adults, says Leo Tsoi. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong watchdog monitoring potential merger of city’s top 2 supermarket chains

Jardine Matheson and CK Hutchison reportedly in talks for Wellcome-ParknShop megadeal amid decline in citywide supermarket sales.

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Hong Kong stock market

China’s Warren Buffett calls Pop Mart a long-term buy, hints at owning stake

Duan Yongping sees Pop Mart as a promising long-term investment, praising its growth potential and unique business model.

Hong Kong property

Futu Securities opens coffee shop as it adapts to changing client ‘lifestyles’

Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo as well as online brokerage Longbridge have also launched cafes in their outlets.

The Futu Securities branch in Causeway Bay is seen in this picture dated October 18, 2024. Photo: Jonathan Wong
China’s private sector

China’s tea-drink shops thirst for profits as price wars dry up prospects

‘I am learning a hard lesson of how involution can destroy my business,’ a Shanghai shop operator says.

Tea-drink sales grew 6.4 per cent in 2025, a sharp drop from annualised growth of more than 20 per cent over the past two decades. Photo: Shutterstock
Fashion

Feng Chen Wang on 10 years in fashion and ‘Chinamaxxing’ before it was cool

The Chinese-born designer, who had Virgil Abloh as a mentor, just celebrated her brand’s 10th year at Shanghai Fashion Week.

China consumption

China’s luxury spending seen boosting global sales in 2026 despite headwinds

Affluent Chinese consumers are expected to splurge, though a volatile property market and oil price shocks pose challenges, analysts say.

Tianjin

Japanese chains lose ground in north China as competition and deflation bite

Store closures in Beijing and Tianjin highlight mounting pressure from domestic rivals amid shifting consumer habits.

Analysts say Japanese retailers must adapt more quickly to China’s evolving retail landscape. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong stock market

China’s Pop Mart struggles despite buy-backs as Labubu reliance sparks concerns

Toymaker’s shares have fallen nearly 50 per cent since February as investors weigh slowing overseas growth and dependence on flagship line.

Pop Mart has stepped up efforts to support its share price through buy-backs. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong retail sales jump nearly 12% in first 2 months of year

Visitor arrivals also rose by 17 per cent to 14.31 million in first three months, tourism minister reveals.

Fashion

How London brand Chopova Lowena, and its cult carabiner skirt, came to be

Harry Styles, Madonna and Gen Z cool girls all love this viral brand – which is inspired by everything from Bulgarian folklore to rock climbing and Scottish kilts.

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