Core Insights - The "i-person" label has evolved from representing introversion to embodying a lifestyle characterized by selective social engagement and prioritizing personal comfort and happiness [1] Group 1: Market Trends - The "one-person dining" market in China is projected to exceed 1.2 trillion yuan by 2025, indicating a significant shift towards solo dining experiences [3] - The pet economy, particularly for cats, has surpassed 100 billion yuan, reflecting a growing trend of low-social-energy emotional connections among consumers [3] - The Chinese instant retail market is expected to reach 751.5 billion yuan by 2024 and surpass 1 trillion yuan by 2026, showcasing the demand for convenience and reduced social interaction [21][22] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Consumers are increasingly favoring low-pressure social interactions facilitated by online platforms, such as gaming companions and AI chatbots, which cater to the "i-person" preference for controlled social environments [5] - The rise of self-service retail and hotels aligns with the "i-person" desire for minimal interaction, with the self-service retail market projected to reach 128 billion yuan by 2024, growing at 40.2% year-on-year [12][15] - The surge in self-study rooms, with a 523.7% increase in registered businesses in 2023, highlights the demand for focused, undisturbed environments for learning [18][20] Group 3: Technological Integration - The global AR/VR market is expected to reach $39.7 billion by 2029, with China leading the growth at over 40%, indicating a strong preference for immersive, independent entertainment experiences among younger consumers [7][10] - AI applications, such as Saylo AI, are becoming essential tools for "i-persons," providing companionship and emotional support through interactive experiences [5][8] Group 4: Emotional and Psychological Aspects - The trend of collecting designer toys among younger generations serves as a form of emotional expression and connection, with the market expected to exceed 80 billion yuan by 2025 [10] - The "i-person" economy reflects a broader cultural shift towards valuing personal space, emotional well-being, and self-determination in consumer choices [23]

Core Viewpoint - The rise of the "i-person economy" reflects a shift in consumer behavior towards low-interaction, personalized experiences, driven by the increasing popularity of the MBTI personality test and the growing preference for solitude among consumers [4][6][37]. Group 1: One-Person Dining - The "one-person dining" model is gaining traction, with the market expected to exceed 18 trillion yuan by 2025, showing a compound annual growth rate of 15.3% [6][8]. - Restaurants designed for solo dining, such as "Ichiran Ramen" and "23 Seat Noodle House," cater to the need for independent spaces while minimizing social discomfort through private booths and call buttons [6][8]. - Unmanned restaurants are emerging as innovative alternatives, utilizing a "three-no" model (no ordering staff, no cooking chefs, no cashiers) to enhance efficiency and meet the demand for a quiet, autonomous dining experience [8][9]. Group 2: Unmanned Hotels - Unmanned hotels are transforming the hospitality industry by eliminating social interactions during check-in and stay, thus providing a truly "no-disturb" experience for introverted consumers [11][13]. - The global smart hotel market is projected to grow from approximately $5 billion in 2020 to $15 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of around 15% [13]. - These hotels leverage technology to enhance user experience, including soundproofing, high-quality entertainment systems, and personalized service options [11][13]. Group 3: Unmanned Supermarkets - Unmanned supermarkets address the social pressures faced by introverted consumers and the efficiency challenges encountered by busy professionals, minimizing unnecessary interactions and wait times [15][17]. - The operational model relies on digital technologies such as RFID and computer vision to streamline the shopping experience, allowing for 24-hour operation and improved supply chain management [17][18]. - Despite their potential, unmanned supermarkets face challenges in accurately identifying products and providing assistance to customers when needed [17][18]. Group 4: Unmanned Study Rooms - Unmanned study rooms are emerging to meet the growing demand for quiet, independent study spaces among students and professionals, offering flexible rental options [20][21]. - The market for study rooms is expanding rapidly, with over 85,300 related businesses currently operating in China [23]. - However, the industry faces challenges such as reliance on a single revenue stream and intense competition, which may impact profitability [23]. Group 5: Unmanned Pet Grooming Shops - Unmanned pet grooming shops cater to pet owners seeking convenience and cost-effectiveness, allowing for a stress-free grooming experience without social interactions [25][27]. - These shops utilize smart technology for precise service and pricing, ensuring that consumers only pay for the services they need [27]. - The growth of the pet economy and the integration of technology into pet services are expanding the market for unmanned grooming options [27]. Group 6: Self-Service Car Washes - Self-service car washes are becoming increasingly popular among car owners due to their affordability and convenience, allowing for a flexible and stress-free experience [28][30]. - The average cost for a self-service wash ranges from 10 to 20 yuan, significantly lower than traditional car wash services [28][30]. - The rise in vehicle ownership in China, with over 353 million cars by the end of 2024, presents a significant opportunity for the self-service car wash industry [30]. Group 7: Self-Service Clothing Stores - Self-service clothing stores are gaining popularity by offering a no-interaction shopping experience that appeals to younger consumers seeking value and a pleasant shopping environment [31][33]. - These stores fill a gap in the traditional retail experience by allowing customers to try on clothes without the pressure of sales staff, enhancing the overall shopping experience [33][36]. - However, challenges such as inventory management and maintaining store cleanliness need to be addressed for sustained success [35][36].

Core Insights - The rise of the "i-person economy" signifies a shift in consumer behavior from traditional mass services to individualized experiences, with the market for solo dining in China expected to exceed 1.8 trillion by 2025 [1][22] Group 1: Market Trends - The demand for solo dining, previously seen as a personal issue, has led to the emergence of new business models such as unmanned restaurants and self-service pet washing shops [1] - The "de-awkwardization" of consumer scenarios is evident, as traditional interactions in restaurants and stores often create discomfort for solo consumers [3][8] - Unmanned business models are not merely about removing staff but involve technological innovations that restructure the consumer experience [10] Group 2: Technological Innovations - Unmanned supermarkets utilize RFID tags, image recognition, and weight sensors for automatic product identification and checkout, allowing for 24-hour operations [10] - Self-service pet washing shops employ smart billing systems based on pet weight and service duration, enhancing transparency and user control [14] - Unmanned study rooms offer flexible pricing through a time-sharing rental system, catering to various consumer needs [13] Group 3: Challenges and Solutions - The unmanned sector faces challenges such as technology error rates, service balance, and limited demographic coverage, particularly for those unfamiliar with smartphones [15][17] - Solutions are being explored, including AI algorithms to improve product recognition accuracy and a "light manpower" model in self-service clothing stores to maintain cleanliness [17] Group 4: Consumer Experience - The evolution of the "i-person economy" reflects a broader upgrade in consumer market philosophy, emphasizing respect for individual needs over standardized services [19][20] - Brands that successfully balance efficiency, experience, and respect for individual preferences are likely to thrive in this emerging market [23]

Core Viewpoint - The rise of the "i-person economy" reflects a shift in consumer behavior towards low-interaction, personalized experiences, driven by the increasing popularity of the MBTI personality test and the growing preference for solitude among certain consumer groups [1][28]. Group 1: One-Person Dining - The "one-person dining" model is gaining traction, with the market expected to exceed 1.8 trillion yuan by 2025, showing a compound annual growth rate of 15.3% [2]. - Restaurants designed for solo dining, such as "Ichiran Ramen" and "23 Seat Noodle House," cater to the needs of i-persons by providing private booths and minimizing social interactions [2][4]. - The emergence of unmanned restaurants, which eliminate the need for human interaction, aligns perfectly with the i-person's desire for efficiency and autonomy in dining experiences [4][5]. Group 2: Unmanned Hotels - Unmanned hotels are transforming the hospitality industry by removing traditional social interactions, thus providing a "no-disturb" accommodation experience for i-persons [5][6]. - The global smart hotel market is projected to grow from approximately $5 billion in 2020 to $15 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of around 15% [8]. Group 3: Unmanned Supermarkets - Unmanned supermarkets address the social pressures faced by i-persons and the efficiency concerns of busy consumers, offering a digital shopping experience that minimizes unnecessary interactions [9][11]. - The operational model relies on advanced technologies like RFID and computer vision, allowing for 24-hour service and optimized supply chain management [11][12]. Group 4: Unmanned Study Rooms - Unmanned study rooms are emerging to meet the growing demand for quiet, independent study spaces, particularly among students and working professionals [13][14]. - The market for study rooms is expanding rapidly, with over 85,300 related businesses currently operating in China [16]. Group 5: Unmanned Pet Grooming - Unmanned pet grooming services cater to pet owners' needs for convenience and cost-effectiveness while minimizing social interactions during the grooming process [17][19]. - The service utilizes smart technology for precise billing based on pet size and grooming duration, enhancing the overall customer experience [19]. Group 6: Self-Service Car Wash - Self-service car washes are becoming increasingly popular among i-person car owners due to their affordability and convenience, with prices typically ranging from 10 to 20 yuan per wash [20][21]. - The rise in car ownership in China, with over 353 million vehicles by the end of 2024, presents significant growth opportunities for this service model [21]. Group 7: Self-Service Clothing Stores - Self-service clothing stores are gaining traction by offering a no-interaction shopping experience that appeals to younger consumers seeking value and a pleasant shopping environment [22][24]. - These stores fill a gap in the traditional retail experience by allowing customers to try on clothes without the pressure of sales staff, thus enhancing customer satisfaction [24][27]. Conclusion - The "i-person economy" signifies a broader trend towards respecting individual boundaries in consumer experiences, emphasizing the importance of personalized, low-interaction services across various industries [28].