In Focus

The city resumed in-store dining from the end of June.

The number of machine-to-machine connections has skyrocketed in four years.

Restaurants are hesitant to incorporate service charges in menu prices.

Retail sales of consumer goods fell in the first quarter.

Younger generations are increasingly willing to use online BNPL options.

Retailers must focus on categories that continue to have low online penetration.

The sector’s outlook is expected to suffer weaker consumer confidence.

Store footfall is continuing to rise despite substantial COVID-19 cases.

Businesses are counting on the festival to invigorate the sector.

Second-hand luxury goods businesses saw solid demand in the quarter.

Brands are adopting strategies to connect deeper with younger luxury consumers.

Real household income growth is expected to be relatively modest in 2022-2026.

Alibaba has made public its nine green patents, while JD launched a carbon reduction campaign.

But tourist demand is expected to remain muted in the coming months.

This will be driven by increased urbanisation in the country.

But the lack of skilled professionals in the sector might hold back growth in coming years.