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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.
Cainiao will launch new or expand instant commerce warehouses for Tmall Supermarket. Photo: Shutterstock
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

China consumption

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

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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.

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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.

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.

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
Consumers

China’s cautious shoppers continue to challenge consumer brands

Makers of fast-moving goods must look to lower-tier cities for growth as deflation persists, Bain & Co and Kantar Worldpanel say.

A woman shops in a supermarket in Beijing on December 8, 2025. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong property

McDonald’s tastes fat profit in US$9.3 million Hong Kong property sale

Company secures 200 per cent gain in the fourth sale in an initiative to dispose of eight retail spots across the city.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Boghossian opens a high jewellery boutique in Macau

Boghossian opened a flagship boutique in Geneva in 2008, and has since added stores in London, Hong Kong, New York, Monaco and Gstaad.

Hong Kong property

Schiaparelli picks Hong Kong’s Landmark for first flagship Asian store

The fashion house, which is known for its unique and surreal designs, will open its boutique in Hong Kong January.

Hongkong Land’s Landmark shopping centres in Central are undergoing renovation. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Style Edit

Style Edit: Hongkong Land’s Noëlia Christmas village at the Landmark Atrium

Attractions include Baccarat and Christofle installations, a cosy bookshop and cake shop, an interactive wishing lake, and an 8-metre slide.

The Noëlia Christmas village at Hong Kong’s Landmark Atrium. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong property

HSBC to occupy over 40,000 sq ft at Hong Kong’s Capitol Centre in 2026

Current tenant Chanel’s three-year lease for the prime retail space in Causeway Bay expires on May 15 next year.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong’s October retail sales figures underline need for change

The data suggests sales didn’t keep up with increased tourism. Retailers must do more to adapt to visitors’ new spending preferences.

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Style Edit

Style Edit: Giorgio Armani’s new menswear boutique opens at Pacific Place

The Italian brand’s new menswear boutique joins its other outposts at the Hong Kong Island mall, creating an on-brand immersive experience.

The new Giorgio Armani menswear boutique at Pacific Place in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Mainland China

Chinese consumer and tourism firms turn to shareholder perks to stimulate sales

Companies from Sichuan to Anhui offer discounts and free tickets to shareholders amid slowing consumption in mainland China.

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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China consumption

Pursuit of hoppiness: how China’s cash-conscious drinkers embraced craft beers

As discerning alcohol consumers seek ‘wallet-friendly’ products, premium beers are winning out over higher-end options.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s Anta considers bid for Germany’s Puma amid 62% stock slump: sources

Hong Kong-listed Anta has been working with an adviser to evaluate a bid for Puma and could team up with a private equity firm, sources said.

The Pinault family’s Artemis holding company owned 29 per cent of Puma at the end of last year. Photo: Reuters
Beauty

8 of the most coveted beauty advent calendars of 2025

The world’s biggest beauty brands – and department stores – are ushering in the holiday season with 24 days of luxe beauty ritual.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Why this is not just another retail downturn for Hong Kong

When even Link Reit, the city’s largest retail landlord, is cutting dividends, the downturn looks less like a dip than a shift.

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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
China consumption

China’s liquor capital faces long march to rebirth as ‘liquid gold’ glory wanes

In Maotai town, baijiu producers diversify offerings while expanding to markets such as Hong Kong and Southeast Asia amid a culture shift and economic challenges.

Illustration: Brian Wang
Consumers

Rising down jacket sales offer cushion against deflation in mainland China

Bosideng and other retailers expect winter wear sales to boom for three more months, buoyed by strong demand for high-end products.

United States

Pop Mart’s Labubu balloons to debut at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York

A brown Labubu and a pink Mokoko will appear alongside characters such as Skullpanda, Dimoo and Molly on the toymaker’s Pop City float.

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