TOPIC

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.
The Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haikou, capital of Hainan province. Photo: Xinhua
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?

Consumers

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

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Fashion

Black leather gloves to effortlessly elevate your look this winter

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.

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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.

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.

Stand-alone flagship stores with distinctive architectural facades are gradually gaining traction in China. Above, Beijing’s Taikoo Li Sanlitun North. Photo: Zhu Wenqian
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.

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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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