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Consumers

Consumers
News about consumer spending and shifting shopping habits from around the world with a focus on developments in Hong Kong and mainland China.
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.

China jobs

China’s youth-unemployment rate eases to 16.9% as graduates settle for less

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Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD ups the ante on L3 autonomous cars, begins testing for mass production

Xiaomi

Memory crunch: China’s Xiaomi and Honor raise tablet prices as chip costs surge

Supplies of memory products for electronic devices squeezed by AI pivot of chipmakers, spurring companies to pass on costs to consumers.

Xiaomi will hike the prices of its Redmi Pad 2 and Xiaomi Pad 8 series. Photo: Shutterstock
E-commerce

No ‘lowest-price’ requirement: China warns platforms on monopolistic tactics

Regulators tell platforms that demanding the ‘lowest price’ from vendors may not be permitted under new draft guidelines.

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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China consumption

‘Invest in people’: how a new slogan signals a pivot in China’s economic policy

Beijing is expected to strengthen investment in welfare, pensions, education and other public services to unleash domestic demand, analysts say.

China has pledged to focus on “investing in people” in recent policy meetings, which could indicate an increase in spending on public services. Photo: Getty Images
Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng, Li Auto given approval to test ‘hands-off’ L3 cars amid slowing market

Deregulation to legalise L3 technology represents a leap forward in commercialising autonomous driving systems in China.

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.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Beijing approves first L3 autonomous cars in leap towards ‘hands-off’ driving

The cars, both pure EVs, can only navigate urban streets and highways in designated areas, according to the ministry.

The Baidu-BAIC Arcfox robotaxi is seen on the road. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s Geely Auto raises bar on car safety with world’s largest test centre

Carmaker expands testing to 27 categories at Ningbo facility to prioritise safety over discounts in a crowded market.

A worker checks the frame of a car on a production line under Geely Auto’s Zeekr brand in Ningbo. Photo: Getty Images
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.

United States

Outside In | It’s an expensive Christmas for Americans thanks to Trump’s tariffs

It’s been years since the US president extolled the virtues of trade wars: how much longer before he recognises tariffs harm the US economy?

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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
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong became the trusted bridgehead for China firms going out

Firms eager to escape oversupply and involution at home are looking to leverage Hong Kong’s trusted institutional interface.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China economy

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.

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.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD founder bets on new tech to win back customers as sales decelerate

Company is pinning its hopes on a 12,000-strong R&D team to come up with technological breakthroughs.

In 2022, BYD dethroned Tesla for the first time as the world’s largest EV builder. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Anger boils in Philippines over official’s US$8.50 Christmas feast budget

Critics call the Philippine trade chief’s 500-peso Noche Buena price guide for a family of four a ‘fantasy’ that insults the poor.

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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.

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.

Tourists visit Mount Emei in Sichuan province. Photo: Getty Images
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla’s China plant sees shipment surge ahead of subsidy expiry

However, the rebound may not be sufficient to help the company reclaim lost ground in China, an analyst says.

A Tesla logo seen on a Model 3 electric car. Photo: AFP
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 manufacturing

Germany’s China playbook: if you can’t beat them, partner up

More than half of surveyed German firms plan deeper ties with local partners in China to match the rapid innovation cycles of domestic competitors, the German Chamber of Commerce has found.

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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
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV makers post stellar sales before incentives are phased out next year

Leapmotor leads the pack with record sales for a seventh month in a row, while Voyah and Zeekr put on a strong performance.

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Voyah’s monthly sales rose for a fourth straight month, with deliveries rising 16.2 per cent month on month to 20,005 vehicles. Photo: Xinhua
China economy

Opinion | How China could solve its consumption conundrum

Beijing’s priority should be bold short-term countercyclical action: issuing US$400 vouchers and stabilising the property sector.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers step on gas abroad amid weakening mainland sales

A growing export drive by Chinese EV makers aims to soak up overcapacity and secure better profits as incentives fade.

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