Celine, Armani and Prada’s October events, plus Chanel’s planned K Avenue boutique, show international houses using the Hubei capital to court shoppers from a far wider region.

A rising supply of secondhand Birkins is shrinking the bag’s resale premium over retail, which raises doubts about the scarcity strategy behind Hermès’ success.

Kering is closing stores, LVMH is consolidating flagships and most rivals are resisting discounts as Beijing’s trust tax and Paris riots add pressure.

French fragrance and skincare house is expanding in China with a minimalist retail space and single-ingredient fragrances, responding to consumers who are becoming more selective and experience-driven.

New format challenges dry shampoo with a more tactile take on waterless haircare.

Milk, honey, and chocolate are becoming beauty’s sensory shorthand, helping brands sell texture, mood and identity across markets globally.

From PayPal World interoperability to an Uber Mini Program, Weixin is making payments and bookings easier for Chinese and international travelers alike.

Chinese retailers are moving from beauty distributors to brand owners, reshaping competition through private-label products, memberships and mature supply chains.

As South Korea joins Japan in super-aged status, a WGSN forecast urges brands to drop cautious senior messaging and treat later life as reinvention.