consumer behavior

China’s luxury market is rebounding, driven by Qixi Festival gifting. Apparel, shoes, and handbags are popular choices, with e-commerce platforms seeing increased sales. However, consumers prioritize value, seeking discounts and cost-effectiveness. E-tailers are capitalizing on this trend with sales events, offering luxury goods at significantly reduced prices. This shift reflects a broader consumer behavior, where cost-effectiveness and emotional satisfaction are key drivers, particularly among younger shoppers moving away from purely expensive items. China’s gift economy continues to grow, projected to reach ¥1.6197 trillion by 2027.

Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) appointed Mary Ellen Adcock to its board of directors, effective immediately. Adcock, currently an executive at Kroger, brings extensive retail and marketing expertise. She will serve on the corporate governance and audit committees. CEO Marc Bitzer highlighted Adcock’s consumer behavior insights as invaluable for Whirlpool’s innovation and consumer experience enhancement efforts. Adcock’s background includes leadership roles at Kroger and an MBA, which will complement her real-world experience on the board.

Luxury flash sales are booming, driven by consumers seeking accessible high-end goods. Platforms like VIP.com offer steep discounts on items like Burberry handbags during limited-time events, attracting value-conscious shoppers. The scarcity of these deals triggers a FOMO effect, as evidenced by increased “favorites” before sales even begin. Private sales already represent a significant portion of the global fashion market, with off-price sales predicted to outpace full-price sales. Experts emphasize the need for robust supply chain management to ensure the sustainable success of this trend.

Tech mogul Zhou Hongyi highlights a shift in Gen Z spending. Young consumers are driven by attitude and aesthetics, channeling their spending power into ten emerging trends. These include the “Good Goods” economy (IP merchandise), self-indulgence, single living, value-consciousness, pet care, holistic wellness, convenience, therapeutic experiences, personal growth, and entertainment. Gen Z prioritizes emotional gratification and quality of life, indicating a need for market adaptation.

The extended “618” shopping festival saw a surge in consumers utilizing interest-free installment plans, reflecting a trend toward “efficient” spending. A 19% YoY increase in installment plan use was observed, fueled by government subsidies and merchant offerings. Longer-term plans saw higher adoption. This trend extends across various product categories, including electric vehicles, leading to sales growth. Regionally, financially aware areas like Guangdong and Zhejiang led in installment plan usage, with varying product preferences by region. This strategy benefits both consumers and merchants, boosting sales and market activity.

China’s EV market is transforming, emphasizing personalized experiences. A new report identifies eight distinct EV user personas with unique preferences, shaping consumer behavior and charging habits across urban tiers. The study highlights trends towards lifestyle-focused mobility, with success depending on understanding individual consumer journeys and providing tailored solutions, shifting the industry from technology to a life-choice driven approach.

Afina CEO Ramon Van Meer’s experiment tested consumer willingness to pay premiums for U.S.-made goods by offering identical showerheads at $239 (“Made in USA”) and $129 (“Made in China”). Among 25,000 online visitors, all 584 purchases chose the cheaper Chinese version, revealing a disconnect between stated patriotic preferences and actual price-driven decisions. Van Meer emphasized that reshoring requires rebuilding entire supply chains, not just factories, and noted the critical gap between social media rhetoric favoring domestic products and real purchasing behavior—posing challenges for U.S. reindustrialization efforts.