China's market regulator summoned major e-commerce platforms like Alibaba, JD.com, and Pinduoduo over marketing malpractices, including misleading ads and inadequate rule disclosures, as the "618" shopping festival approaches. This is part of an effort to curb "involution-style" competition.
Beijing's market regulator met with 17 major online platforms to regulate business practices during the '6.18' shopping festival, urging an end to irrational subsidies, fair competition, and compliance with food safety, content, and tax regulations.
The 2026 Thailand Shopping Festival and Durian Festival kicked off in Nanning, Guangxi, featuring over 100 Thai products, including high-quality fruits like durian and mangosteen, as well as specialty foods. The event aims to boost Thai product influence and trade between Thailand and China.
China's 618 shopping festival has begun with a significant price war on mobile phones. Major brands like Apple, Huawei, and Xiaomi are offering substantial discounts, with e-commerce platforms adding further incentives and national subsidies, potentially lowering prices by up to 50%. This aggressive discounting is driven by brands aiming to clear excess inventory and boost sales amidst rising component costs.
South Korea is set to launch the Korea Duty-Free FESTA 2026, a nationwide shopping festival at duty-free stores running from April 25 to May 31. The event, the seventh of its kind, will offer discounts of up to 60% at some 21 duty-free stores located at airports and in Seoul, Busan and Jeju, as well as online stores. The festival overlaps with China's Labor Day holiday and Japan's Golden Week, and includes about 30 million won worth of local gift vouchers to revitalize the regional economy.
