consumption

Despite skepticism whether mainland shoppers would head to Hainan over other shopping havens like Hong Kong, the city government of Sanya claimed on its official website this week that the program has been a runaway success. Read More

This week, the market research firm Huicong D&B released its annual R.CHC white paper on major trends currently shaping the China luxury market, covering developments in 10 major cities throughout the country. Read More

While it may be very much a top-tier city, with an annual GDP of over 1 trillion yuan (US$152 billion), Guangzhou can be a frustrating market for major luxury brands. But is this changing? Read More

Hangzhou might not have the same reputation as a critical luxury market as nearby Shanghai, but the city of 9 million boasts something that larger cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen can't: a consumer base that actually prefers to shop locally. Read More

While China continues to mull over a reduction to its high luxury tax in an attempt to boost domestic spending, Chinese shoppers continue to buoy sales not only at home or in Hong Kong, but also in New York, London and Paris. Read More

As the "will-they-or-won't-they" game continues to play out, this week the Chinese art collector, curator and lecturer Ma Weidu writes in a blog post that China shouldn't just lower its luxury taxes, it should abolish them completely. Read More

Via a savvy expansion scheme, which prioritized five-star hotels over mass-market product lines, illy's China strategy provides a valuable case study for anyone interested in differentiating a brand in a young but crowded market. Read More

Months after growing calls by prominent businesspeople like Dalian Wanda chairman Wang Jianlin for the Chinese government to reduce its stiff luxury tax, this week, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Yao Jian indicated that Beijing is paying attention. Read More

One trend that has picked up steam in China over the past couple of years has been the proliferation of high-end grocery stores, first in cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen and now in second-tier cities like Shenyang and Xi'an. Read More

With the support of Xidan commercial authorities, an experienced partner like I.T and a red-hot Chinese luxury market, Galeries Lafayette could see a far different reception in 2013 than it did in 1997. Read More