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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.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Sustainable fabric by Kieffer, made of jute (cultivated without chemicals) and recycled cotton, at Altfield Interiors. Photo: Courtesy of Altfield Interiors
Architecture and design

The design trends to know for 2025

The Year of the Snake also brings opposing views in home decor this year.

Hong Kong

Struggling with Taobao? It’s now available in English for Hongkongers

Hong Kong tourism

Weak yen to fuel more Hong Kong outbound travel to Japan: tourism sector

Gen Z

Who buys Jellycat and Squishmallows toys? They’re older than you think

The soft toy industry’s most important consumers are not toddlers, but millennials and members of Generation Z. Experts examine why.

Social media content creator Carter Kench with his collection of Squishmallows in Los Angeles, California. The soft toy industry’s most important consumers are millennials and Gen Z. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong property

Distressed property deals to rise in Hong Kong this year as sellers cut prices

High interest rates and uncertainties in the global economy are cited as reasons why distressed deals will rise in 2025.

China's economic recovery

From toys to trading cards, China’s ‘goods economy’ drives generational spending

Cute and playful collectibles are a trillion-yuan industry in China, and their impact on commerce is expected to continue surging.

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China property

Shanghai property deals to rise this year amid bargain hunting: JLL

Landlords are willing to reduce prices while high-net-worth individuals pursue safe returns amid deflationary pressure.

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A view of the city skyline and Huangpu river in Shanghai, on February 24, 2022. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong stock market

Pop Mart’s Labubu: From Blackpink fave to fading frenzy

Elfin character loses value on speculative market, but gives investors faith in Pop Mart’s formula for monetising intellectual property.

Climate change

Outside In | The industry is in crisis, but wine lovers should hold their panic

The future looks dire with consumption pivoting away, especially in China and France, and grape growers worldwide hit by climate change, but the wine sector is a long-term sector.

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Hong Kong housing

Hong Kong cultural district’s housing scheme to include more arts elements

District councillors express concerns the proposed residential development may undermine art hub’s image.

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority is proposing to build seven residential blocks in the area. Photo: Jelly Tse
China economy

Opinion | China will rein in vicious competition at the root of its overcapacity

New reforms for a unified national market, including addressing unfair competition, will rein in unchecked competition and the damage it is causing.

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Workers check solar panels at a solar power station on a factory roof in Changxing, eastern China’s Zhejiang province in 2012. Like many other sectors in China, the solar industry has become a global powerhouse but faces headwinds from punitive tariffs abroad to a brutal price war at home. Photo: AP
China-Russia relations

Can China’s consumers bear a glut of phoney Russian goods?

Spurred by stronger trade relations, stores selling Russian products have popped up in China – but many are doubting their authenticity.

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Apple

Apple’s pricey iPhones ineligible under China’s new subsidy scheme

China’s latest stimulus measure offers a 15 per cent subsidy for purchases of smartphones, tablets and smartwatches.

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China's economic recovery

China’s logistics sector stands and delivers with busiest year ever in 2024

State Post Bureau reports highest delivery volume ever, estimates a banner 2025 as consumption becomes economic imperative.

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China’s logistics sector saw a record number of package deliveries in 2024. Photo: Getty Images
US-listed Chinese stocks

Miniso issues US$550 million of debt for global expansion, share buy-backs

The Chinese retailer has been ramping up its overseas expansion efforts in a bid to create a global network of 40,000 stores.

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Chinese budget lifestyle retailer Miniso envisions a global network of 40,000 stores. Photo: Shutterstock
E-commerce

PDD’s billionaire investor Duan Yongping showers praise on Temu

In a speech at his alma mater Zhejiang University, Duan professes his admiration for PDD founder and fellow alumnus Colin Huang Zheng.

TikTok

TikTok expands e-commerce operation into Mexico amid potential US ban

TikTok Shop’s geographic expansion south of the United States shows it is undeterred by Washington’s ‘sell-or-ban’ law.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong expo footfall ‘back to pre-pandemic levels’ but no sales boost

Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo draws 1.3 million visitors, but sales expected to remain flat at around HK$1 billion.

Vendors put up last-minute bargains on the last day of the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo in Victoria Park. Photo: Sam Tsang
Japan

Short on workers, Japan retailer hires remote cashiers living overseas

Lawson, a 24-hour convenience store chain, is looking for staff based in Europe and the Americas to serve customers at its outlets in Japan.

E-commerce

E-commerce giants jump on China’s new trade-in programme for home appliances

Alibaba and JD.com are among the earliest to join the country’s renewed subsidy programme for home-appliance shoppers.

China's economic recovery

Calling all smartphone seekers: China to subsidise personal electronics

In a bid to galvanise business and shore up weak consumption, last year’s trade-in programme is being expanded, making it a good time to save on electronics.

China will subsidise purchases of personal devices such as smartphones this year. Photo: Reuters
What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, January 3-5

Catch some bargains at a Hong Kong products expo, see a Korean artist’s pop-up show of paintings, learn how to map your body, and more.

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Somatic body mapping allows you to take a deep dive into your unconscious mind, according to Adriana Reixach Garcia, who will lead a workshop about it in Hong Kong on January 4. Photo: Instagram.com/mybodytalksnow/
Alibaba

Alibaba set on growth path after divesting offline retailing assets: analysts

After disposing of Sun Art and Intime, an ‘asset-light’ Alibaba is expected to be in a better position to compete against e-commerce rivals.

Technology

Opinion | Asia’s embrace of refurbished smartphones is a trend to dial into in 2025

It’s great for the environment, for brands looking to seduce customers into switching and for consumers hunting for a bargain.

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E-commerce

UK lawmakers summon Shein and Temu for questioning over labour practices

Both online retailers have faced allegations of poor working practices at product factories in China and of forced labour in supply chains.

Shein and Temu sell clothes, shoes, gadgets and accessories at rock-bottom prices. Photo: Reuters
Apple

Apple offers fresh price cuts on iPhones in China as Huawei competition heats up

A promotion running from January 4 to 7 will provide Chinese consumers a US$68 discount on Apple’s top-of-the-line iPhone 16 Pro models.

Apple’s latest sales promotion in China, covering iPhones and other products, will also be available at its bricks-and-mortar stores on the mainland. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong retail sales fall for ninth straight month, with 7.3% drop in November

Government attributes decline to change in consumption patterns and strong Hong Kong dollar.

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Alibaba

Alibaba sells retailer Sun Art for US$1.7 billion to refocus on e-commerce

Alibaba agreed to divest its entire stake in Sun Art Retail Group to Chinese private-equity firm DCP Capital.

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