Retail giants bullish on consumption rebound

Q4 Driving domestic consumption is one of the top priorities for China to spur economic growth this year. How do you see China's potential to drive a consumption-led impetus for the economy? How will that affect your company's profitability this year?

LIU: China's consumption potential remains robust, driven by a growing middle-income group and policy incentives like duty-free expansion. Hainan's Spring Festival duty-free sales surged to 2.09 billion yuan ($289 million) in 2025, reflecting strong demand. DFS will capitalize on this by creating multi-category luxury experiences in China, targeting younger demographics through digital campaigns and entertainment-retail fusion. These strategies will drive profitability as China ramps up efforts to boost domestic demand.

ZHANG: With its 1.4 billion population, China's market presents unparalleled potential for baked goods industry growth. We have seen the government make significant efforts to stimulate domestic consumption, which has begun to show positive results from the end of last year. This year, I think the government may continue to focus on building consumption confidence and creating more job opportunities by doubling down on efforts in new technology fields, etc. When people have a sense of security, they tend to spend more. Looking forward, we believe that domestic consumption in China will gradually recover. This will give Bimbo confidence to deepen investment in the China market, helping speed up geographic and category expansion. With the right strategies and plan implementation, in 2025 Bimbo China will improve its profitability to enable the company's reinvestment in the China market for stronger capabilities in innovation and manufacturing.

ZHU: We are optimistic about China's consumption-driven economic growth and its potential to fuel our success. The rising demand for high-quality products, particularly in the premium pet food sector, aligns perfectly with Ziwi's offerings. As pet owners increasingly prioritize their pets' health and nutrition, Ziwi is well-positioned to benefit from this trend. The government's efforts to boost domestic consumption have created a favorable environment for our business. By expanding our product lines and optimizing distribution channels, we expect to achieve further growth in sales and market share. This will not only enhance our profitability, but also solidify our leadership in the premium pet food market. We remain confident in China's consumption potential and its ability to drive our long-term success.

YOOVIDHYA: China's focus on expanding domestic demand and boosting consumption reflects both global economic uncertainties and the country's transition to a new stage of high-quality growth. With a massive and evolving consumer base, China holds tremendous potential for a consumption-driven economy, particularly as demand for premium, functional and health-oriented products continues to rise. As a leading company in the global energy drink industry, TCP Group sees significant opportunities in China's market, where Red Bull is already a trusted and well-established brand. We anticipate that government-led consumption stimulus measures will further enhance market vitality and drive new growth opportunities. We believe that China's resilient consumer market and pro-consumption policies will create a strong foundation for sustainable growth. By deepening our presence, expanding local operations and continuously innovating our product offerings, TCP Group is well-positioned to benefit from China's shift toward a more consumption-driven economy while delivering long-term value to both our consumers and stakeholders.