Core Viewpoint - The beer industry is adapting to an emotion-driven consumption era, aiming to connect with each generation of young adults through cultural experiences and events [2][12]. Group 1: Cultural Engagement and Consumer Trends - The upcoming Tomorrowland music festival in Shanghai, initiated by Budweiser, highlights the brand's commitment to engaging with young consumers through cultural events [4][5]. - A McKinsey report indicates that 64% of consumers prioritize emotional consumption, with younger consumers placing even greater emphasis on the emotional value of products [8]. - Brands must create deeper cultural connections and experiential systems rather than relying solely on price competition to resonate with consumers [9]. Group 2: Budweiser's Strategic Approach - Budweiser's strategy focuses on "Megabrands & mega platforms," targeting global young adults' favorite IPs to foster connections [12][15]. - The brand's involvement in Tomorrowland is not just sponsorship but a key part of creating a "beer + scene + culture + social" experience [14]. - Budweiser has successfully established its flagship brands, such as Harbin Beer and Budweiser, with a 40% market share in the premium segment, according to Euromonitor [16]. Group 3: Market Performance and Innovations - Harbin Beer has seen a 70% sales increase in the young consumer segment due to its innovative zero-sugar products linked to NBA events [18]. - The "flagship brand + super platform" strategy has proven effective, allowing Budweiser to enhance its market presence and consumer engagement [19][23]. - The brand's partnerships with major cultural events like the FIFA World Cup and Tomorrowland are essential for amplifying its market influence and connecting with consumers [21][23].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise of the "emotional economy," where consumers seek emotional satisfaction through purchases, reflecting a shift in societal values towards instant gratification and emotional fulfillment [1][2][20]. Group 1: Emotional Consumption Trends - Emotional consumption refers to the behavior where consumers achieve emotional satisfaction and psychological compensation through purchases, with Generation Z being the primary demographic [5]. - Since 2013, the emotional consumption-related industry has seen an average annual compound growth rate of 12%, with projections indicating that the market size in China will exceed 2 trillion yuan by 2025 [2][4]. - A survey revealed that 64.6% of respondents aged 18-65 prioritize spiritual consumption, and 48.9% seek dedicated time for relaxation each week [4]. Group 2: Psychological and Sociological Perspectives - From a psychological perspective, emotional consumption is a strategy for managing emotions, significantly correlated with anxiety levels and loneliness [7]. - Sociologically, emotional consumption products serve as digital social capital, helping individuals construct idealized identities [7]. - The experience economy model categorizes emotional consumption as an "escape experience," providing temporary relief from real-life pressures [7]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior - The emotional economy is characterized by a demand for low-cost, quick-acting emotional remedies, leading to the proliferation of products that offer novelty, stimulation, and ritualistic experiences [1][2]. - The popularity of products like LABUBU reflects a desire for relatable emotional expressions, allowing consumers to project their feelings onto these items [13][15]. - The trend of "identity performance" suggests that consumers purchase emotional products not just for personal satisfaction but to signal their social identity [15][17]. Group 4: Challenges and Critiques - The article raises concerns about the potential for emotional consumption to create new problems, such as emotional dependency and superficial relationships [1][2]. - Critics argue that the focus on emotional value in relationships may lead to transactional interactions, where emotional fulfillment becomes a calculated exchange [21][23]. - The increasing reliance on emotional consumption may simplify complex human emotions, risking a loss of deeper emotional connections and perceptions [23].

Core Viewpoint - The cultural, sports, and entertainment industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing consumer demand and evolving consumption patterns, particularly in various provinces of China [1][2][3]. Group 1: Industry Growth - In Jiangsu Province, the revenue of the cultural, sports, and entertainment industry increased by 20.7% year-on-year in May [1]. - In Henan Province, the revenue growth reached 23.9% from January to May, surpassing the overall service industry growth rate by 16.4 percentage points [1]. - In Sichuan Province, the revenue grew by 18.7% from January to May, with an increase of 2.8 percentage points compared to the previous month [1]. - In Anhui Province, the revenue increased by 16.5% from January to May, with a 1.1 percentage point acceleration from the previous month [2]. - In Guizhou Province, the revenue growth was 21.2% from January to May [2]. Group 2: Consumer Trends - There is a growing demand for diverse and high-quality cultural and entertainment offerings, driven by rising living standards and changing consumer preferences [2][3]. - The Z generation is identified as a key consumer group, focusing on personalized experiences and willing to spend on self-pleasure and hobbies [2]. - Emotional consumption is becoming a significant trend across various age groups, with many middle-aged and older consumers also engaging in activities like attending concerts [3][5]. Group 3: Emotional Value in Consumption - Events like the "Su Super" football matches are creating emotional connections with the community, enhancing the cultural significance of sports [3]. - Concerts are recognized as a platform for emotional release, with a notable increase in attendance from middle-aged audiences [4][5]. - The rise of micro-short dramas is catering to consumers' need for quick emotional gratification, with significant revenue growth in the industry [5][6]. Group 4: New Consumption Scenarios - The integration of culture and emotional value is emerging as a new highlight in consumer spending, with various innovative experiences being developed [6]. - Scenic spots are introducing unique experiences like "lazy drifting," appealing to younger consumers' desire for fun and emotional engagement [6].

Core Viewpoint - The cultural, sports, and entertainment industry is experiencing rapid growth driven by increasing consumer demand and emotional consumption, particularly among the younger generation [1][3][6]. Group 1: Industry Growth - In Jiangsu Province, the revenue of the cultural, sports, and entertainment industry increased by 20.7% year-on-year in May [1]. - In Henan Province, the revenue growth reached 23.9% from January to May, surpassing the overall service industry growth by 16.4 percentage points [1]. - In Sichuan Province, the revenue growth was 18.7% from January to May, showing a recovery of 2.8 percentage points compared to the previous month [1]. - In Anhui Province, the revenue grew by 16.5% from January to May, with film production and entertainment sectors growing by 74.8% and 23.6% respectively [2]. - In Guizhou Province, the revenue increased by 21.2% during the same period [2]. Group 2: Emotional Consumption Trends - Emotional consumption is on the rise, with the Z generation leading the trend, focusing on personal experiences and willing to spend on self-pleasure [3]. - Emotional consumption spans various age groups, including middle-aged and elderly consumers attending concerts, indicating a broadening market [3]. - The "Su Super" league has created emotional connections with local culture, enhancing community engagement and making football a part of everyday life [3]. Group 3: New Consumption Scenarios - The "Su Super" league generated service revenue of 37.96 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 42.7% across tourism, dining, and accommodation sectors [4]. - Concerts have become significant outlets for emotional expression, with nearly 50% of attendees being over 40 years old, reflecting a nostalgic connection to music [4]. - Micro-short dramas are emerging as popular "emotional fast-moving consumer goods," catering to consumers' need for quick emotional relief [4][5]. - New tourism concepts like "wo nang drift" are gaining popularity by appealing to younger consumers' desire for fun and emotional value [6]. Group 4: Industry Development and Opportunities - The micro-short drama industry in Henan has seen a revenue increase of 89.0%, significantly outpacing the overall cultural and entertainment sector [5]. - The integration of culture and emotional value is becoming a key trend in driving consumption growth, with various new consumption scenarios emerging [6].

Core Insights - The cultural, sports, and entertainment industries are experiencing rapid revenue growth across multiple regions in China, driven by increasing consumer demand for leisure activities and experiences [1][2][3] Group 1: Revenue Growth - Jiangsu Province reported a 20.7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the cultural, sports, and entertainment sectors in May [1] - Henan Province saw a 23.9% increase in revenue from January to May, outperforming the overall service industry growth rate by 16.4 percentage points [1] - Sichuan Province's revenue growth for the same period was 18.7%, with an increase of 2.8 percentage points compared to the previous month [1] - Anhui Province recorded a 16.5% revenue growth from January to May, with significant increases in film production and entertainment sectors at 74.8% and 23.6% respectively [2] - Guizhou Province's revenue growth was 21.2% from January to May [2] Group 2: Consumer Trends - There is a growing demand for diverse leisure activities, including cultural and sports events, as people's living standards improve [2][3] - The Z generation is becoming a significant consumer group, focusing on personalized experiences and willing to spend on self-pleasure and hobbies [2] - Emotional consumption is on the rise across various age groups, with middle-aged and older audiences increasingly attending concerts and events [3][5] Group 3: Event Impact - The "Su Super" league has successfully attracted large audiences, indicating a strong demand for quality sporting events [2][3] - The first six rounds of the "Su Super" matches generated service revenue of 37.96 billion yuan, reflecting a 42.7% year-on-year increase [3] - Concerts and performances are becoming key outlets for emotional expression, with a notable increase in attendance from older demographics [5] Group 4: Emerging Consumption Models - New consumption scenarios are emerging in the cultural, sports, and entertainment sectors, driven by emotional value and consumer engagement [6] - The "cultural + emotional value" model is gaining traction, with unique offerings in various regions attracting consumer interest [6] - The micro-drama industry is rapidly developing, particularly in Zhengzhou, contributing to significant revenue growth in film production [5][6]

Core Insights - Chongqing has been recognized for its innovative consumer scenarios, with three projects selected as typical cases for national consumption upgrades, showcasing the city's efforts in fostering new consumption formats and urban vitality [1] Group 1: Innovative Consumer Spaces - Chongqing is leveraging its unique "8D magical" terrain to create distinctive consumer spaces, such as the "Jiangya Street Cave Heaven," which attracts over 20,000 daily visitors [2] - The transformation of industrial sites into creative spaces, like the North Warehouse Cultural and Creative Park, has resulted in over a million annual visitors and regional income exceeding 100 million [2][4] - The city has developed over 286 consumer scenarios combining mountain trails, unique street districts, and riverside economic belts, leading to a 15%-20% increase in shop rents along these areas [4] Group 2: Technology-Driven Consumer Experiences - Technological advancements are central to Chongqing's consumer scene innovation, with smart stores utilizing robotic arms for a seamless shopping experience [6] - The integration of AR/VR/AI technologies in traditional retail spaces has transformed them into immersive shopping environments, significantly reducing wait times and increasing customer engagement [6] - The introduction of drone delivery services has improved logistics efficiency, with delivery times reduced by 70% for small packages [9] Group 3: Emotional Consumption Trends - Emotional value is emerging as a key driver of consumer behavior, with innovative projects like the "Jiangbei a~platform" attracting significant social media attention and increasing foot traffic to surrounding businesses [10] - Night markets are evolving to focus on emotional resonance rather than just sales, with average transaction values reaching around 50 yuan [11] Group 4: Policy Support for Consumption Growth - The growth of new consumer scenarios in Chongqing is supported by government policies aimed at enhancing consumption quality and expanding market capacity [12] - Initiatives like the "ticket root economy" in Yongchuan District encourage consumer spending by offering discounts based on movie ticket purchases [12] - Recent promotional activities have generated significant sales, with over 700 events in the second quarter alone driving 7 billion yuan in sales [12] Group 5: Future Recommendations - Experts suggest that Chongqing should continue to explore its regional characteristics and integrate online and offline experiences to create distinctive consumer offerings [13]

Group 1 - The central government emphasizes boosting consumption and breaking the "involution" to promote domestic circulation and achieve economic goals for the year [1] - The focus on domestic demand policies is highlighted as a stable direction to counter external uncertainties, with significant results from consumption-boosting policies in the first half of the year [1] - The expansion of government subsidies for home appliances from 8 categories to 12, including 3C products, indicates a potential for further subsidy expansion in the second half of the year [1] Group 2 - The estimated consumption subsidies of 138 billion for "trade-in" programs are expected to increase retail sales growth by 1.3 percentage points in the second half of the year [1] - The overall retail sales growth is projected to moderate from 5% in the first half to 4.3% in the second half, with an annual growth rate of 4.6% [1] - Investment opportunities in the consumer sector for 2025 include domestic brands and high-growth emotional consumption sectors, as well as the burgeoning silver economy and AI+ consumption [2]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Generation Z, characterized by their unique consumption behaviors and social interactions, is expected to contribute significantly to global consumer spending, with a projected $12 trillion by 2030 [2] - Generation Z is heavily influenced by digital technology and values-driven purchasing, often seeking emotional experiences and social identity through their consumption choices [4][15] - The rise of the "谷子经济" (Guzi Economy) reflects a shift in consumer mindset, where emotional and identity-driven purchases, particularly in the realm of anime and gaming, are becoming mainstream [14][18] Group 2 - Social media platforms like Weibo and Bilibili serve as essential spaces for Generation Z to express their identities and connect with like-minded individuals, facilitating a shift from functional consumption to value resonance [4][10] - The phenomenon of "线上蹦迪" (online partying) versus "线下社恐" (offline social anxiety) illustrates the duality of Generation Z's social behavior, where they thrive in online interactions while often feeling isolated in real life [7][8] - The popularity of niche communities and interest-based discussions on platforms like Weibo highlights the importance of belonging and emotional connection for this generation, driving their consumption patterns [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emerging trends in consumer behavior, particularly focusing on the phenomenon of "emotional consumption" and the impact of socio-economic changes on consumer preferences [3][4]. Group 1: Trends in Consumer Behavior - The rise of cultural trends like LABUBU indicates a shift towards "cultural tourism" as a new form of consumer engagement, reflecting a desire for spiritual comfort [3]. - The concept of "first-store economy" is revitalizing urban areas, creating new consumer experiences and opportunities [3]. - The live event aims to explore how to identify and lead the next wave of consumer trends in an increasingly materialistic society [3]. Group 2: Insights from Key Speakers - Xu Jin, editor-in-chief of FT Chinese Network, will analyze the definition and characteristics of the "soft class," correcting common misconceptions about consumption and its relationship with economic growth, while predicting future hotspots in consumption [4][6]. - Cao Hu, global partner at Kotler Consulting Group, will discuss the essence of emotional consumption, emphasizing the need for companies to understand consumer preferences and values, and predict that sectors resonating with emotional needs will become future consumption hotspots [4][8]. - Tang Fei, founder of Strategic Marketing Consulting, will address the trend of consumption stratification, highlighting the shift from ostentatious to rational spending, and predict that future consumption will focus on emotional, health-oriented, and sustainable products, particularly in lower-tier cities [4][10]. Group 3: Event Details - The live event will feature three influential bloggers in the field of consumer research, providing insights into the underlying causes and trends of phenomenon-level consumption [4][11]. - The event is scheduled for July 30 at 18:00, aiming to uncover the reasons behind phenomenon-level consumption and offer valuable references before the next wave of consumer trends emerges [12].

Core Viewpoint - The rise of emotional consumption reflects a shift in consumer preferences towards personalized, emotional experiences rather than mere material possession, indicating a significant potential for consumption upgrade in the market [1][2][4]. Group 1: Emotional Consumption Trends - Emotional consumption is gaining traction, with consumers increasingly valuing experiences that provide emotional satisfaction, such as surprise and interaction, over traditional material goods [2][3]. - The market for emotional consumption in China is projected to exceed 20 trillion yuan, highlighting its substantial growth potential [1]. - The "accompanying economy," represented by pet ownership, is also on the rise, with the urban pet consumption market expected to surpass 300 billion yuan by 2024 [1]. Group 2: Market Opportunities and Challenges - Businesses must focus on delivering high-quality services and understanding consumer emotions to capitalize on the emotional consumption trend, as superficial marketing strategies may lead to consumer dissatisfaction [2][3]. - The emotional consumption market requires a supportive regulatory environment to address issues like false advertising and consumer rights protection, ensuring sustainable industry growth [3][4]. - The government's initiative to promote new consumption models emphasizes the importance of enhancing consumer experience and quality, which aligns with the growing demand for personalized and aesthetic consumption [4].