In China, the hunt for bargains is reshaping consumption.

Faced with the slowdown of the Chinese economy, consumers appear to be significantly changing their habits. Purchases aimed at displaying social status are losing ground in favor of more thoughtful consumption, focused on price, usefulness, and the feeling of getting a good deal. This shift is benefiting new players that are able to offer attractive experiences while keeping prices affordable.

In the food sector, low-cost snack retailers such as Busy Ming are attracting consumers thanks to a very wide range of products, small portion sizes, and stores designed to encourage customers to browse the aisles. This way of shopping is therefore not only about finding the lowest price: the pleasure of discovering, comparing, and choosing products also plays an important role.

Sandrine Zerbib highlights the importance of this physical dimension. According to her, unlike impulsive online shopping, browsing in a store gives consumers a greater sense of independence and control over their own choices. For this highly connected generation, physical retail must also reflect digital habits: looking at products, taking photos, and immediately sharing discoveries on social media.

This trend is also affecting the second-hand luxury market. Consumers still desire high-end products, but their attachment to brands appears to be changing. Sandrine Zerbib sums up this transformation by explaining that “the desire for products remains intact,” while the desire for brands is becoming weaker. Platforms such as ZZER are responding to this trend by offering second-hand items in large spaces where customers can compare different models and search for the best deals themselves.

More broadly, the article shows that the companies succeeding in China are those that manage to combine attractive prices, an engaging in-store experience, and a sense of control. In a period of greater economic uncertainty, Chinese consumers are not necessarily giving up the pleasure of shopping. Instead, they are becoming more selective and increasingly looking for better value for money.