China’s 618 Mid-Year Sale Shows Tepid Consumer Demand as AI Gains Traction
China’s 618 mid-year shopping festival, centered on the anniversary of JD.com’s founding, has unfolded more quietly than in past years. The event - stretched into a roughly 40-day promotion period - highlights restrained consumer behaviour amid property-sector weakness and trade-related job concerns, while e-commerce firms increasingly deploy AI to…