consumer spending

The 2025 summer ice cream market shows mid-range options ($3-$5) dominating, capturing nearly half the sales, while premium ice cream (over $10) faces challenges. Zhong Xue Gao filed for bankruptcy, and Häagen-Dazs experienced declines in China. Value-conscious spending drives this shift, making pricing aligned with consumer power crucial for sustainability, as the ultra-premium and budget segments shrink. The mid-to-premium range emerges as the strongest force.

Guangxi, China, is relaunching a “trade-in” subsidy program on August 5th, 2025, to boost consumer spending. Subsidies are available for trading in old appliances, 3C digital products, electric bicycles, and home renovation items for new ones. The program focuses on in-store redemptions and offers subsidies up to 20% (max 2,000 yuan) for appliances, 15% (max 500 yuan) for 3C products, 600 yuan for e-bikes, and 1,000 yuan (max 15,000 yuan total) for home renovation, via UnionPay digital coupons on a first-come, first-served daily basis.

Alibaba’s Taobao Now launched a 50-billion-yuan subsidy program, boosting consumer spending and merchant growth. Early data shows significant increases in orders for food and beverage categories, as well as retail products. This year-long initiative aims to invigorate urban service consumption and provide substantial benefits to both consumers and businesses, fostering a new integrated e-commerce and service ecosystem.

The Jiangsu Super Football League’s popularity is driving significant e-commerce growth. Fueled by the mantra “First for the game, fourteenth for friendship,” the league has spurred demand for merchandise like jerseys and fan-created items, leading to increased sales on Douyin E-commerce. Local food specialties are also benefiting. A partnership with Jiangsu Culture and Tourism will further leverage trending topics, promoting local culture and merchandise during the 618 shopping festival, demonstrating the event’s positive economic impact.

China’s consumer “trade-in” subsidies, crucial for boosting domestic demand, are experiencing temporary pauses in several regions during the 618 shopping festival. Many cities are shifting from broad subsidies to a “grab-the-coupon” system or have suspended them entirely. This slowdown, potentially linked to dwindling funds, impacts appliance and digital device purchases. While retailer promotions continue, the future of these subsidies is uncertain, yet policy is anticipated to shift to a quota system to better moderate fund usage.

Alibaba’s Tmall is launching the second phase of its 618 sales, focusing on its 88VIP members. Major changes include a simplified 10% discount on all purchases, irrespective of order value. Members receive a bundle of coupons for significant savings. The promotion aims for a frictionless shopping experience, offering a cumulative discount of approximately 23.5% with other existing offers.

Mianyang, Sichuan province, has launched a pilot 4.5-day workweek under its *2025 Consumer Revitalization Action Plan*, introducing a “Friday afternoon + weekend” model to boost tourism and domestic spending. The voluntary policy aims to alleviate overcrowding during peak holidays by dispersing travel demand, with analysts noting its alignment with national efforts to stimulate consumption. Preliminary estimates suggest an 8-12% rise in regional tourism revenue, benefiting hospitality sectors. While differing from Western compressed workweek models focused on productivity, the initiative’s success could inspire similar trials across China. Social media反响热烈 show strong public support for extended leisure time and reduced travel congestion.