Coronavirus

E-commerce  Whether it’s urgent medical supplies delivered to hospitals, or fresh vegetables needed for that evening’s dinner, the e-commerce market has continued to thrive during the pandemic. Quarantines and the closure of offline markets have enabled apps and platforms to reach new audiences who previously hadn’t used the technology. The early roll-out of new technologies has also accelerated timelines for some of the big players, as self-driving deliveries, self-service stores, …

For large global companies, the virus could have a significant impact on profitability. For smaller companies operating in China, losing several months of business is likely to leave them fighting for survival. Most SMEs have low margins, high fixed costs and few reserves. Here is our essential, ten-step guide for SMEs in China to help manage this challenging period. 1. Cutbacks This is the time to scale back as much …

The full extent of the impact of COVID-19 on the Chinese economy remains to be seen, though even the best-case scenarios suggest it will be significant. Companies are facing new challenges and – in some cases – are fighting for survival. By Tom Simpson With the vast majority of China’s population stuck at home, companies are finding ways to adapt their operations, and digital technology is playing a major part …

It’s a family affair The consequences of families being confined to their apartments for such long and intense periods might well lead to a spike in Summer divorces and November babies, but more seriously it is likely to have a long-term impact on the average person’s awareness of their work-life balance. People have, for the most part, enjoyed spending more time with their loved ones, and are recognising the importance …

By Ran Guo Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Chinese consumers have experienced drastic changes in the way they purchase and prepare food. With the spread of the virus being gradually contained in provinces outside Hubei, some of these temporary phenomena will disappear, but some will remain – and have long-term effects on the industry. The boom in fresh produce e-commerce Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the popularity of wet …

Jack Porteous from cross-border e-commerce company Samarkand Global examines how the Covid-19 pandemic will affect China’s retail sector, from even faster e-commerce growth to a rising focus on healthy living Acceleration of new technology in e-commerce Some argue that SARS sowed the early seeds of much of the e-commerce innovation that came in its aftermath. JD nearly closed down after its stores, originally to be found in shopping malls, nearly …

By Wenhao Han, Partner at Zhong Lun Law Firm As COVID-19 spreads, businesses are feeling its impact on their operations, even if they aren’t based in China. For businesses with supply chains dependent on China, this is especially the case. It’s therefore important to know where your company stands legally. In mid-February, for example, Jaguar Land Rover stated in a Financial Times article that it had to fly components out …

During this tumultuous period where revenues are down, managing your staff is essential, explain Patrick Gu and Yang Yuhua of LLinks Law Offices Do I have to pay staff full salaries even if my company has had to suspend business or production due to the epidemic? Yes, you should pay at least up to 30 days in full. Beyond this period, your company can negotiate new payment standards with employees, …

To support companies’ cashflow, national and regional government departments are offering a range of discounts and tax breaks, explains Fabio Stella of Hawksford Whilst we endeavour to provide accurate and up to date information, companies should liaise with local partners, government departments or CBBC regional offices to get the current take. Rules and policies vary from region to region and change frequently. A more detailed city by city update can …

The coronavirus that suddenly appeared at the start of the year has caused no end of damage to lives, families and businesses. But as the virus spreads around the world, there are rays of hope emerging from the chaos. The start of 2020 has been a challenging one for China. The discovery and spread of the novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19, has led to thousands of deaths and struck down …