6 d. ago Foreign, Hong Kong retailers close stores in mainland China amid changing dynamics

Mainland China’s retail and retail property sectors have suffered another blow amid a fresh wave of store closures by foreign and Hong Kong brands. “The series of closures come as a combined result of their outdated business models and profound changes in the macroeconomic environment,” said Wang Tianshi, an analyst at Shanghai-based LeadLeo Research Institute. “Compared with emerging mainland retailers, Hong Kong and foreign brands often remain under a ‘selling on the mainland’ phase, rather...

Politics

6 d. ago Singapore businesses list rising costs and tariffs as their biggest challenges

For businesses in Singapore, such as skincare chain Kskin, the global trade environment has become more challenging in recent years as a result of hurdles ranging from rising costs and US tariffs to fast-changing regulations. Kskin began venturing overseas in 2023 and has opened outlets in Malaysia, the Philippines and the US. Due to the tariffs, the costs of Kskin’s equipment and products have risen in recent months. Brian Ng, the firm’s director, told This Week in Asia: “Our margins [at...

Economics

1 week ago China unveils regulation on commercial mediation to improve business environment

China unveils regulation on commercial mediation to improve business environment  China Daily

Politics

1 week ago China’s Shanghai Has Plan to Enhance City’s Business Environment

China’s Shanghai Has Plan to Enhance City’s Business Environment  Bloomberg.com

Politics

3 w. ago Can AI deliver the economic goods and high returns? Don’t count on it

Only one thing matches the excitement, bordering on hysteria, about artificial intelligence having the potential to transform just about every aspect of our lives – and that is the exuberance AI has generated in stock markets. Yet both phenomena are coming under increasing scrutiny as we enter the new year. Some question the extent to which AI can in fact substitute for human intelligence across business and society while others challenge the technology on environmental and ethical grounds. Yet...

Economics

3 w. ago China's top industry regulator unveils extensive plan to foster emerging, future industries

China's top industry regulator unveils extensive plan to foster emerging, future industries  China Daily

Politics