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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.
A robot developed by Hangzhou-based Seth Robotics picking goods at Swire Coca-Cola’s smart factory in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Friday. Photo: Handout
Robots developed by Hangzhou-based Seth Robotics picking goods at Swire Coca-Cola’s smart factory in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Friday. Photo: Handout
Swire Group

Swire Coca-Cola gets robots for heavy lifting in demanding China market

New automated facility to help meet increasingly diverse demand across emerging sales channels, company says.

China's economic recovery

Economists urge Beijing to act fast on local-level debt while prices remain low

World Gold Council

As China’s consumption of gold jewellery slumps 34%, sellers pivot abroad: WGC

DJI

China’s Insta360 opens first US flagship store in New York’s Times Square

Action camera maker Insta360 is opening a New York City flagship as it navigates price wars with DJI, soaring memory costs.

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Insta360 is a competitor to DJI in the drone and action-camera market. Photo: Handout
China consumption

How Perfect Diary owner Yatsen plans to give its business a glow-up

The Chinese beauty firm has snapped up a string of overseas skincare brands, but it now plans to focus on expanding its existing portfolio.

Retailing

How major sporting events are becoming part of Hong Kong’s mall retail playbook

Mall operators are expanding sports-themed campaigns and experiences as retailers fight for consumer attention.

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China consumption

Pets and personal touches: how China’s luxury hotel market is changing

Today’s Chinese guests expect hotels to offer cultural experiences, personalised touches and a pet-friendly environment, Hang Lung director says.

A view of a hotel room at Hilton’s new Xi Zhe Wuxi hotel in Wuxi, Jiangsu province. Photo: Handout
China consumption

China’s economy to see slower loan growth amid sluggish consumption, investment

Loans reverse record contraction a month earlier but fall far short of expectations as property slump drags and deposits rise.

China GDP

China’s worsening retail slowdown bolsters case for stimulus

Slower-than-expected retail sales growth and a deepening investment slump support the argument for government investment even as industrial output booms.

China's economic recovery

Pressure on China’s economy persists in August as investment, consumption slow

The drop in overall fixed-asset investment widened last month, as retail sales grew 0.4 per cent year on year.

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A worker assembles an industrial turbine at a factory in China’s Sichuan province in June. Photo: Xinhua
Architecture and design

How Vinterior turned the hunt for pre-loved furniture into a global business – interview

While fashion resale has matured thanks to Vinted and Vestiaire Collective, Vinterior is scaling the untapped global market for antique and second-hand homeware.

Vintage furniture from Vinterior creates a homely ambience. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong malls see growth with new stores and events: Hang Lung CEO

Leasing situation ‘steadily improving’ with new stores set to ‘open one after another’ in fourth quarter and beyond, Weber Lo says.

China travel

How China’s inbound tourism could ease strain on weak domestic consumption

Country’s inbound travel revenue forecast to double share of economy and capture 15 per cent of global holiday market, Swiss bank says.

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Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong consumer watchdog questions supermarkets’ buy one, get one free deals

Consumer Council urges shoppers to compare unit prices after finding some offers provide smaller-than-expected discounts or no savings at all.

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A Consumer Council survey has found that some supermarket promotions offered less value than their labels suggested. Photo: Edmond So
Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Huge gaps in sanitary pad absorption speeds, over half poorly labelled: watchdog

Among 36 products tested, one pad took 73 seconds to fully absorb simulated menstrual blood, exceeding 60-second standard.

The Consumer Council revealed the results for tests on 36 winged sanitary towels on Monday. Photo: Edmond So
Crime in Hong Kong

Number of suspicious credit card transactions involving iPhones surges to 1,209

Apple spokesman says all current orders are being reviewed before processing as total amount involved rises to HK$25 million.

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Beauty

How today’s curling tools are making heat styling less intimidating

Dyson, Shark, GHD, T3 and Hershesons are changing the game with smarter, gentler ways to create waves and curls at home.

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China consumption

End of the supermarket? Why China’s shoppers flock to small ‘community stores’

Young Chinese favour local grocery stores offering low prices and fast delivery, with some saying they haven’t been to a supermarket in years.

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A man shops at a supermarket in Beijing. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to table cooling-off period bill for beauty, fitness deals by mid-2027

Commerce chief Algernon Yau says both sectors supported seven-day cooling-off period but differed on exemption thresholds.

China consumption

Taobao’s ‘ugly’ products turn humour and individuality into a booming business

Items that might have once been seen as unmarketable are going viral online as shoppers embrace quirkiness and novelty over conventional aesthetics.

Hong Kong

Video | Why some Chinese F&B chains have exited Hong Kong

Dessert chain Fufuland and tea drink chain Ningji had about 10 outlets in Hong Kong at their peak, but have now left the market.

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United States

US consumer prices pick up in August, boosting chances of rate increase

In the 12 months through August, consumer inflation advanced 3.4 per cent after rising by the same margin in July.

People shop for groceries at a supermarket in Manhattan on August 25 in New York City. Photo: AFP
China manufacturing

Chinese regulators unleash power of cost accounting to tackle price wars

At same time, State Council issues guidelines on avoiding delays in payments to small and medium-sized enterprises.

China consumption

Improving migrant workers’ lives key to boosting Chinese consumption: HSBC

Report says reforms aimed at reducing their high precautionary savings rate could unlock US$95 billion a year in spending.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Foreign marques offer steep discounts on petrol cars in cutthroat Chinese market

With more consumers switching to electric vehicles, companies including VW and Toyota are slashing prices on lower-tech offerings.

Workers assemble vehicles on a production line at an FAW-Volkswagen factory in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in December. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
Apple

Apple enters a crowded foldable smartphone market in China – can it beat Huawei?

The new iPhone Duo flagship handset is trending on Weibo but faces fierce domestic competition and local hurdles.

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Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo is unveiled during Apple’s special event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park in Cupertino, California, United States, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
China’s private sector

Trust tested: Sam’s Club shoppers uneasy as Hong Kong veggie tag dropped

Change sparks concern among consumers, with the Hong Kong label having long served as a selling point for high quality.

China consumption

Gold jewellery loses its lustre as Chinese switch focus to bars and coins

High prices and decline in marriages cited as reasons for one-third drop in jewellery sales in first half of year.

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