Group 1 - The core issue is that despite China's large population, consumer spending remains low, with retail sales growth significantly lagging behind pre-pandemic levels, only reaching 7.2% in 2023 and dropping to 4-5% in 2025 [2][4][6] - Household savings have surged, with deposits increasing by over 14 trillion in 2024, reaching 151 trillion, and an additional 12.73 trillion added in the first three quarters of 2025, while retail sales growth continues to decline [4][6] - The phenomenon of "14 billion people cannot drive consumption" has become a trending topic, highlighting the disconnect between population size and consumer spending, with urban areas experiencing high vacancy rates in retail spaces [6][8] Group 2 - Key factors contributing to low consumer spending include rapid aging of the population, with over 300 million people aged 60 and above, leading to different consumption habits focused on healthcare and savings rather than discretionary spending [8][10] - The real estate market downturn has negatively impacted wealth expectations, with many families seeing significant declines in property values, leading to reduced consumer confidence and spending [10][12] - Income growth is not keeping pace with inflation and housing costs, with nominal growth around 5% in 2025, but real disposable income growth being much lower, causing consumers to prioritize savings over spending [12][14] Group 3 - Excess capacity in various industries has led to price wars and thin profit margins, making it difficult for companies to raise wages, which in turn affects consumer spending [14][16] - A cycle of low spending has emerged, where reduced consumer expenditure leads to lower sales for businesses, stagnant wages, and further reluctance to spend, resulting in a significant portion of funds remaining in banks [16][18] - Government initiatives aimed at boosting consumption have started to show positive effects, with retail sales rebounding in mid-2025 and GDP growth stabilizing at 5.2%, indicating a potential recovery in consumer confidence [18][20]