Reporting and analysis on retail, e-commerce, and consumer trends in China, updated continuously by our newsroom.
Gap Inc is planning to roll out stores globally under its Janie and Jack and Athleta banners via a franchise model. The US-listed fashion giant already has about 500 franchised Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy-branded stores operating in 40 markets around…
Japanese retailer Muji has issued an apology to the Chinese people for referring to a historic neighborhood in Shanghai as the “French Concession” in a social media post. The term refers to a time in history when parts of the city were conceded to foreign…
Ikea China has started construction of its first store in Yunnan. The southwestern Chinese province will see its first Ikea outlet in its capital city of Kunming, scheduled to open at the end of next year. The firm is investing more than RMB1 billion (US$141…
China has called on its largest state-owned enterprises to take on more controlling stakes in Hong Kong’s companies, according to anonymous sources, adding that the city’s business elites were just not one of us. A meeting in Shenzhen was organized by China’s…
UK sportswear business JD Sports Fashion saw revenue improve 47 percent over the first half of FY20 to £2.72 billion, with global like for like sales growth of 12 percent. The group, which runs the JD Sports chain in Australia, also saw group profit before…
Fashion and home-furnishings retailer Laura Ashley has appointed IMG to exclusively license the brand in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Home decor and furnishings will be the initial core focus for Laura Ashley’s entry into Mainland China with future…
HSBC continues to expand its capabilities in mainland China with the latest launch of a digital credit card – the first foreign bank to do so. The card will allow HSBC customers to access credit card information via the HSBC Mobile App or WeChat Banking…
Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma, who helped launch China’s online retailing boom, has stepped down as chairman of the world’s biggest e-commerce company as its fast-changing industry faces uncertainty amid a US-Chinese tariff war. Ma, one of China’s wealthiest…
Alibaba Group celebrated its 20th anniversary on Tuesday in Hangzhou, highlighting its journey from 18 founders of a tiny e-commerce startup in a small apartment into the US$447 billion enterprise it is today. It was also Jack Ma’s final appearance as…
Fashion label Esprit has unveiled a new concept store in Beijing as it continues its long journey of reinvention. “Our new store in Beijing is a showcase for the Esprit brand,” said Esprit Group CEO Anders Kristiansen. “With surprising and functional design…
The real estate company has hired a China specialist to support the firm’s development in China. Singapore-based real estate company CapitaLand has hired former OCBC head of China, Kng Hwee Tin to the newly created role of CEO, finance and corporate services,…
Alibaba has confirmed it will buy NetEase’s Kaola for about US$2 billion, a deal widely predicted last month. Kaola is an import e-commerce platform which has been a rival of Alibaba for some time. Both companies have their roots in Hangzhou. Confirming the…
Daigou buyers from Australia – individuals and groups who buy infant formula and other consumables in offshore retail outlets, selling them at huge mark-up prices in China – have been locked out of one China’s fastest-growing online malls. Aomaijia, which…
Starbucks is taking another step toward evolving the digital customer experience for customers in China by launching voice ordering and delivery capabilities within Alibaba’s smart speaker, Tmall Genie. Customers can now order their favorite Starbucks…
British fashion brand Superdry has appointed IMG to develop a strategic licensing program to extend the brand into select new product and lifestyle categories. The Superdry licensing deal will see IMG negotiating partnerships which broaden its product…
Chinese tea chain Heytea will open a new store at Westgate, Singapore on Saturday. The minimalist store design is inspired by the traditional Chinese handscroll and attempts a “Zen” vibe intended to provide customers with an immersive store experience to…
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