International News
Chow Sang Sang sees 15% decline in sales, 20% drop in profit
Chow Sang Sang’s- China’s third biggest jewelry retailer (by revenue) – 2024 financial results reveal a company grappling with significant headwinds in its core markets. The reported net loss of 74 stores out of 1,032, coupled with a 15% decline in sales and a 20% drop in profit, paints a picture of a retailer under considerable pressure.
Significant Closures: The closure of 122 stores, predominantly in Mainland China, highlights a strategic retreat in response to declining sales. This indicates a recognition of over-saturation or underperforming locations. Limited Expansion: Opening only 48 stores suggests a conservative approach, focusing on optimizing existing resources rather than aggressive expansion.Future Uncertainty: The company’s statement regarding “prudent… physical store network consolidation” implies further closures are possible, reflecting a pessimistic outlook on near-term market recovery.
Revenue Decline: The 15% drop in revenue (HKD 21.18bn) signifies a substantial reduction in consumer spending on jewelry .Profit Slump: The 20% decrease in profit (HKD 805.6m) underscores the impact of reduced sales and potentially heightened operational costs.Same-Store Sales Decline: The steep decline in same-store sales (38% in Mainland China and 24% in Hong Kong and Macau) indicates a systemic issue, not just localized problems. This suggests a broader consumer shift away from jewelry purchases.
Weak Demand: The report attributes the poor performance to “weak demand,” suggesting a shift in consumer preferences or reduced discretionary spending.Record-High Gold Prices: Elevated gold prices likely impacted affordability, particularly for gold jewelry, potentially driving consumers to alternative investments or postponing purchases.Economic Slowdown: The economic slowdown in China, Hong Kong, and Macau created a challenging retail environment, affecting consumer confidence and spending.Declining Diamond Demand: The report specifically mentions a drop in diamond demand as a primary driver of the same-store sales decline. This may indicate a shift in consumer preference away from diamonds, or a reduction in high value purchases in general.
Focus on Cost Optimization: The store closures indicate a focus on cost reduction and operational efficiency.Potential Product Diversification: The decline in diamond demand may necessitate a strategic shift towards other product categories or price points.
E-commerce and Online Strategies: In a challenging physical retail environment, strengthening online sales channels becomes crucial.Market Adaptability: The company’s ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and economic conditions will be critical for its future performance.
International News
WGCÂ Central Banks Gold Reserves Survey: Central Banks Set To Step Up Gold Buying Over The Next Year
With Gold Recently Overtaking US Government Bonds As The Top Reserve Asset, The Findings Point To Continued Momentum In Central Bank Demand For Gold.
The World Gold Council’s annual Central Banks Gold Reserves Survey reveals that 89% of reserve managers expect global central bank gold holdings to continue increasing over the next 12 months. With gold recently overtaking US government bonds as the top reserve asset, the findings point to continued momentum in central bank demand for gold.
That confidence is also reflected in central banks’ own reserve plans: a record 45% of the reserve managers surveyed said they expect to increase their own institutions’ gold holdings over the next 12 months. Additionally, 83% of respondents believe gold will account for a higher share of total reserves five years from now, up from 76% last year.
Taken together, these findings point to gold’s increasingly strategic role within reserve portfolios. Today, 93% of respondents report holding gold, up from 81% last year. Meanwhile, views of the US dollar’s future role in reserves were less positive , with 74% of respondents expecting the dollar’s share of global reserves to be lower in five years.
These shifts are reflected in how central banks think about gold’s role in reserves. When asked about the factors driving their decision to hold gold, a record 90% of respondents cited gold’s performance during times of crisis. Long-term store of value (84%) and portfolio diversification (82%) rounded out the top three. Notably, gold’s role as a geopolitical risk hedge featured prominently, particularly among emerging market and developing economy respondents (85%), while the proportion citing historical legacy as a reason to hold gold continued to fall to 46%, from 62% in 2025.
The survey also highlighted a new trend: central banks are increasingly changing where their gold is stored. Nine per cent of respondents said they had increased domestic storage in the past 12 months, up from 5% last year, and 10% said they had diversified their overseas storage locations, up from 2%. This pattern is set to continue with, 7% planning to increase domestic storage and 9% planning to diversify overseas locations in the coming year. The Bank of England remains the most popular vaulting location at 57%, with domestic storage second at 49%.
Shaokai Fan, Global Head of Central Banks & Head of Asia-Pacific (ex-China)-WGC, commented:
“This year’s survey sends a clear message: central bank demand for gold remains on an upward trajectory. A record number of respondents plan to add gold to their own reserves in the next year, while a large majority expect global official sector holdings to keep rising. What stands out is the shift in how central banks think about gold. Fewer see it as a legacy holding; more see it as an active, strategic allocation in an environment defined by geopolitical uncertainty and reserve diversification.”
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