情绪价值成为新货币：这届消费者，只想买点“开心”

Core Insights - The rise of emotional consumption reflects a significant shift in consumer behavior, where emotional needs are prioritized alongside functional needs [1][2][3] Group 1: Emotional Consumption Trends - Emotional consumption is becoming a key choice for the new generation of consumers, with 56.3% of young people willing to pay for emotional value, a 16.2% increase from 2024 [2][6] - Young consumers spend an average of 949 yuan per month on emotional consumption, equating to approximately 30 yuan daily [2][6] - Popular categories for emotional consumption include plush toys, aromatherapy, and experiences like concerts and psychological counseling [4][6] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The emotional consumption market in China is projected to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2025, with expectations to exceed 4.5 trillion yuan by 2029 [6][9] - The Z generation, comprising about 260 million individuals in China, is driving this emotional economy, seeking emotional connections and self-soothing through consumption [7][9] - Emotional consumption is characterized by a shift from material goods to experiences and services that fulfill emotional needs, as highlighted by the rise of the "accompanying economy" [5][8] Group 3: Consumer Behavior - A significant 88.2% of young people report experiencing frequent stress, with 60.3% believing that consumption helps alleviate this stress [3][4] - The trend of emotional consumption is not merely a fad; it represents a long-term shift in consumer priorities towards emotional fulfillment [14] - The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated feelings of loneliness, further driving the demand for emotional consumption [8][9] Group 4: Business Implications - Companies must adapt their production and marketing strategies to focus on emotional needs, moving from traditional product-centric approaches to consumer-centered models [12][13] - Brands that can effectively address emotional pain points and create products with both emotional and functional value will likely emerge as leaders in the emotional consumption space [14]