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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 drink and several meals from KPRO’s menu. Photo: Handout
China’s private sector

A new battlefront for KFC and its Chinese rivals: the lighter meal

Big-name fast-food chains are seeking to capitalise on a surge in demand in China for lighter meals.

Japan

Founder of Japan’s 7-Eleven chain Toshifumi Suzuki dies aged 93

Banking & finance

Millions of Chinese consumers ditch their credit cards amid weak retail spending

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong to see more mainland Chinese brands enter retail market, analysts say

In the first four months of the year, more than one fifth of new entrants in the city’s retail market were mainland brands, according to JLL.

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Last year, Mao Geping Cosmetics opened its first outlet in Hong Kong at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Li Cao
Fashion

Chinese fast-fashion juggernaut Shein to buy eco-friendly Everlane

The ‘jarring’ takeover bid arrives at a time when Everlane is struggling with weak sales and higher debt.

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Mergers & Acquisitions

Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison rules out sale of Hong Kong supermarket ParknShop

Chain operator’s executive dismisses speculation of a tie-up, and praises staff amid an ‘extremely competitive environment’.

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong property upswing poised to hold despite interest rates risk: Moody’s

Lower mortgage rates, surging rents and demand from talent inflows and buyers from mainland China to sustain recovery, agency says.

Home prices are expected to increase in 2026, according to Moody’s. Photo: Sam Tsang
China consumption

China’s unexpected retail slowdown shows Hormuz strains

Retail sales growth slumped in April, industrial output cooled and fixed-asset investments tumbled as high oil prices hit China’s economy.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Hermès’ revamped Elements store is a cosmology-inspired escape

The maison’s revamped boutique in West Kowloon layers phoenix-inspired ceramics, stylish salons and curated art into a calm, fable-inspired setting.

Hong Kong property

Fresh concepts lift Hong Kong retail property as tourists and consumers return

Landlords betting on a diversified tenant mix – from pop-ups to ‘sportainment’ – to sustain growth in retail property market, analysts say.

Hong Kong’s first-quarter retail sales rose 12 per cent from a year earlier to more than HK$106, according to the latest official data. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong economy

Scalpers list Swatch-Audemars Piguet watches hours after launch in Hong Kong

Dozens braved rain and queued for days to snap up ceramic pocket watches, with resale prices nearly seven times their retail value.

People queue up outside the Swatch store on the first day of the “Royal Pop” collection sale in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Airport Authority takes over 11 Skies retail from New World: sources

Authority says it continues to communicate closely with New World about 11 Skies project, and is going ‘full steam’ ahead with development.

Fashion

How sneakers got a fashion upgrade

Blackpink and Reese Witherspoon are fans of stylish sneaker brand Autry, while Løci’s fans include Nicki Minaj and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Tiffany & Co. brings New York flair to Hong Kong’s Lee Gardens

The American jewellery house’s CEO and president Anthony Ledru on how the city’s vibrant hospitality culture makes Hong Kong a priority for the brand.

Tiffany & Co.’s new Lee Garden store in Hong Kong will open its Blue Box Cafe in June. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui tops Asia luxury retail rents – but loses global crown

City’s luxury retail shows resilience with rising tourist arrivals and new store openings despite global slowdown, according to Savills.

Shoppers queue and snap photos in Tsim Sha Tsui in early May. Photo: Jelly Tse
Fashion

Chloe Chen’s Repulse Bay boutique blends vintage charm with modern elegance

Chloe Chen has loved vintage since she was young, and her Repulse Bay boutique is filled with Hermès bags and handmade ceramics amid a chic, homelike setting.

Hong Kong economy

Hongkongers pack major supermarkets amid ‘price war’ on eve of Mother’s Day

ParknShop and Wellcome offer 12 per cent off purchases, while HKTVmall tries to lure customers with up to 15 per cent off at physical stores.

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China-EU relations

Tall story? Sophie la Girafe, France’s national toy, revealed to be Chinese-made

The maker of Sophie la Girafe reportedly ran a ‘fake’ factory in France for years, while secretly producing the iconic toy in China.

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Sophie la Girafe, the national toy of France, is actually manufactured in China, according to an investigation by a French media outlet. Photo: Sophie la Girafe
China consumption

Shenzhen’s economic dilemma: soaring GDP, stagnant consumption

Shenzhen’s retail sales barely rose in the first quarter despite strong GDP growth, a sign of the Chinese tech hub’s unbalanced development.

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong residential property upturn drives recovery in office, retail sectors

Shop rents will ‘turn positive by year-end’ but likely post a 3 per cent decline for the entire year, Morgan Stanley says.

China property

Shenzhen office market gains steam on tech and services demand

Leasing activity in core districts is picking up, driven by tech occupiers, but analysts warn oversupply will keep vacancies elevated.

Shenzhen’s technology sector – spanning artificial intelligence, consumer electronics and robotics – remains a key driver of leasing activity. Photo: Reuters
Beauty

8 pharmacy products to buy when in France, from barrier balm to micellar water

From Caudalie’s face mist to Nuxe’s dry oil for body and hair, these are the finds that genuinely earn their place in your luggage.

La Rosée Sun Stick SPF50 is one of the many popular beauty products you can find at Citypharma, or other pharmacy chains across France. Photo: Handout
Consumers

Ikea to open first small-format Beijing store to tap changing consumer trends

The Tongzhou district outlet marks the furniture retailer’s pivot to compact formats as China’s property slump hits home-furnishing demand.

China GDP

Guangdong’s rule as China’s GDP king faces an unprecedented threat to the crown

A rival provincial powerhouse, with a GDP as big as some G7 nations, is becoming a hub for strategic emerging sectors while outpacing the national economic growth rate.

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Pop Mart

Pop Mart comes with a cool idea for red-hot Labubu: mini-fridges

The Chinese toymaker is launching two limited-edition Labubu-themed mini-refrigerators priced at US$878 each.

Labubu plush toys and keychains became popular globally in 2024. Photo: Dickson Lee
China manufacturing

China’s industrial profits hit 6-month high amid Iran war price spikes

Fuel-processing sector pivots to profit while tech gains shield margins from modest revenue growth, highlighting an efficiency-led rally over a demand recovery.

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A humanoid robot is modified at a facility in China’s Shandong province last month. The nation has seen rapid developments in artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related industries. Photo: Xinhua
Artificial intelligence

Beijing sounds alarm over urgent need to clean up online ads

Market watchdog flags AI abuse and traffic-driven tactics as it launches first campaign to overhaul online advertising.

Asia travel

This mall is one of the best places to buy anime and fan merch in Seoul

I’Park Mall in Seoul’s Yongsan district focuses on fandoms built around animations, games and character-based intellectual property.

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