BEIJING—A slowdown in China’s economy is piling stress on to a previously reliable growth driver—the Chinese consumer—likely deepening an economic pullback that is rattling global markets. Consumers have pulled back spending, their confidence dented by the shaky domestic economy and a trade fight with the U.S. Meanwhile, they are feeling pinched by rising costs for already sky-high housing and often inadequate education and health care. As a result, people are putting off big-ticket purchases and downgrading discretionary...

Source: Wall Street Journal January 03, 2019 14:38 UTC