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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.
A view of characters from the Peanuts comic strip at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in the United States. Snoopy remains as popular as ever. Photo: TNS
Social media

At 75, Snoopy has conquered the Gen Z market. How did the beagle do it?

Snoopy’s enduring appeal continues to boost Peanuts’ brand now – it has more than 1,200 licensees around the world.

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Doing Good

Meet the teen with a mission to help artists with his own brand of socks

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s retail uptick extends into November with sales climbing 6.5%

Hong Kong

Chinese and Asian suppliers in limbo over fashion chain Claire’s bankruptcy

Suppliers across Asia pursue legal action, but debt recovery prospects remain uncertain.

Claire’s is a mall staple known for trendy jewellery and ear piercings. Photo: Getty Images
China’s private sector

Small restaurants in China starve as consumers suppress spending appetite

Per-capita spending per meal has dropped nearly 24 per cent since 2023, data provider says, as property slump sows uncertainty.

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China consumption

China rolls out trade-in funding for 2026 as campaign to spur spending continues

The programme, which has helped stimulate consumption increases, will continue to subsidise purchases of big-ticket goods and refurbishments.

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China economy

Opinion | How China’s home-grown luxury labels took on Western brands

Chinese brands are gaining ground at home and worldwide as domestic consumers increasingly turn to labels with Chinese imagery and values.

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People walk past Christmas decorations outside a store of Swiss luxury watchmaker Rolex along a shopping street in Beijing on December 15. Photo: AFP
China consumption

China’s Hainan hosts duty-free shopping spree under new customs regime

A flurry of activity accompanied the official establishment of the island’s tariff and tax exemptions - but will the frenzy last?

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Consumers

From Shein to Labubu, French shoppers are buying Chinese for Christmas

This year’s wave of popularity for Chinese brands has not waned in France’s capital, with Shein’s store packed and Labubu dolls dotting trees.

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Fashion

Black leather gloves to effortlessly elevate your look this winter

With their luxe materials and exquisite detailing, these black leather gloves will elevate any look effortlessly.

Anne Hathaway and Simone Ashley at the Balenciaga spring/summer 2026 show at Paris Fashion Week in October. Photo: Handout
China consumption

Hard work, long hours fuelled China’s rise. Now, it weighs longer breaks

China, one of the world’s hardest-working countries, is adopting incentives to increase time off – and potentially boost consumer spending.

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Workers at the construction site for the main tower of Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, China. Photo: Xinhua
JD.com

Burglary of JD.com warehouse in France prompts investigation, speculation

The theft, with over 50,000 items stolen by some estimates, casts a shadow over the Chinese e-commerce giant’s first Christmas in France.

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Beauty

‘C-beauty’ cosmetics brands find retail expansion outside China a slow slog

‘For established domestic cosmetics companies attempting to expand abroad, progress is still in its early stages,’ CLSA’s Chris Gao says.

Luxury brands

As Landmark revamps its offerings, retail concept Belowground debuts a new look

The upscale mall in Hong Kong’s Central district is undergoing a multimillion-dollar, three-year redevelopment for a new generation of shoppers.

Retail concept Belowground at Landmark in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
E-commerce

China bans e-commerce platforms from forcing lowest prices or abusing algorithms

Beijing moves to protect consumers and merchants, with new 29-article regulation tightening oversight of the fast-growing digital economy.

The new rules prohibit e-commerce operators from forcing merchants to offer discounts. Photo: Shutterstock
Pop Mart

Chinese toymaker Pop Mart targets wider audience with magazine, grow IP

The magazine, which is available for US$5.7 online and at select offline locations, features Michelle Yeoh on the cover.

Luxury brands

Why global luxury brands are switching to shopping streets in China

Luxury giants are transforming China’s retail scene, blending culture, cuisine and shopping in vibrant street-level destinations.

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China consumption

From taboo to trendy: China’s second-hand luxury market cashes in on resale boom

Driven by an uneven recovery and property crisis, value-conscious shoppers are powering a second-hand boom as platforms use tech to verify authenticity and overcome stigma.

Illustration: Henry Wong
E-commerce

Alibaba ramps up China instant commerce push with Cainiao and Tmall tie-up

Partnership designed to expand warehouse network and boost Taobao Shangou’s rapid service as rivals Meituan and JD.com scale up facilities.

Hong Kong property

Kai Tak Stadium lifts Hong Kong’s status as major sports and entertainment venue

The 50,000-seat stadium drives repeat tourism, supports retailers and helps prop up retail property landlords, experts say.

China consumption

Not lovin’ it: Chinese fume at McDonald’s prices, costlier ‘poor man’s meal’

Fast-food giant increases menu items by 0.5 to 1 yuan, testing pricing power in a deflationary market where per-capita dining spending has been plunging.

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A woman sits on a swing attached to a giant McDonald’s logo in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
Mainland China

Why retailers are beating a hasty retreat from mainland China

Hong Kong retailer Mannings will cease online operations from December 26 and close its physical stores after January 15.

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Mannings is one of Hong Kong’s largest health and beauty retailers. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong jobless rate unchanged at 3.8% on back of ‘solid’ economic expansion

Improving consumer confidence, economic growth supporting overall market but some sectors may remain under pressure, labour chief says.

China economy

China’s elusive domestic demand holds key to revival of faltering economy

Getting Chinese consumers to open their wallets after property-market losses is a tough task for leaders seeking to reheat the cooling economy – it may also be the only option.

China consumption

China’s growth engines sputter as retail and investment hit in November

Retail sales grew just 1.3 per cent, with growth momentum slowing for six straight months, and January-November investment fell 2.6 per cent as the property slump persisted.

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China’s retail sales, a key gauge of consumer spending, grew by only 1.3 per cent in November, year on year, falling well short of consensus expectations. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong property

With luxury absent, new entrants steady Hong Kong retail property

Newcomers from across Asia and Europe take advantage of cheaper rents while big-ticket brands delay major commitments.

Taiwanese brand Nap Tea in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
China property

Shanghai retail landscape evolves with new malls, shift to experiential shopping

Hang Lung, New World and Swire are renovating and expanding their malls in Shanghai to stay relevant in a competitive environment.

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.

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