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].

Group 1: Childcare Subsidy Implementation - The "Childcare Subsidy Implementation Plan" was officially announced on July 28, 2025, with subsidies starting from January 1, 2025, for children under three years old, amounting to 3,600 yuan per child per year [1] - The plan is expected to benefit over 20 million families annually, with local governments also introducing their own subsidy measures [1] - For example, Hubei Ezhou will extend subsidies to non-talent families, while Shaanxi Yulin will implement a combined "one-time + annual subsidy" model for families with multiple children [1] Group 2: Corporate Actions in Response to Subsidies - Companies like Feihe and Yili are launching their own maternity subsidies, with Yili announcing a 1.6 billion yuan subsidy plan, providing at least 1,600 yuan per household [2] - Feihe has also introduced a subsidy plan with a minimum of 1,500 yuan per household [2] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Trends - The infant formula market is experiencing polarization, driven by high-end products, with ultra-high-end products capturing 33.2% of the market share [3] - Companies like Feihe, FrieslandCampina, Danone, and Nestlé are maintaining growth in high-end products, while Mengniu's milk powder business is declining [3] - Feihe expects a revenue decline of 8% to 10% in the first half of the year due to reduced purchasing demand from the introduction of maternity subsidies [4] Group 4: Implications for the Maternal and Infant Market - The increasing subsidies are likely to further drive the high-end trend in the maternal and infant market [5]

Group 1: Market Dynamics - The competition in the food delivery market is intensifying, with JD and Alibaba investing 80 billion yuan in subsidies over the past three months [1] - Daily order volume in China's food delivery industry has surged from 100 million at the beginning of the year to approximately 250 million [1] Group 2: Profitability Challenges - Intense price competition has led to profit difficulties for platform companies and related food delivery merchants, prompting regulatory scrutiny [2] - The State Administration for Market Regulation has urged major platforms like Ele.me, Meituan, and JD to comply with e-commerce laws and promote rational competition [2] Group 3: Impact on Brands - Some executives from leading beverage brands express mixed feelings about delivery subsidies, noting that many are random and can harm brand profitability [3] - Despite concerns, subsidies have driven transaction growth for brands, particularly for ready-to-drink beverages that have become more competitive in pricing [4] Group 4: Stock Market Performance - On July 23, the Shanghai Consumer 80 Index closed at 4875.32 points, reflecting a slight increase of 0.19% [6]

Core Viewpoint - The consumption market in China has shown significant recovery in the first half of the year, driven by policies aimed at boosting consumption, with retail sales reaching 24.55 trillion yuan, a 5% year-on-year increase, and final consumption expenditure contributing 52% to economic growth [1][2]. Group 1: Consumption Trends - Retail sales of consumer goods grew by 5% in the first half of the year, with a notable acceleration in the second quarter at 5.4%, indicating a steady contribution to economic growth [2]. - Service consumption outpaced goods consumption, with service retail sales increasing by 5.3% compared to 5.1% for goods, reflecting a shift in consumer spending patterns [2]. - Major holidays such as Spring Festival, May Day, and Dragon Boat Festival significantly boosted consumption in sectors like dining, tourism, and entertainment, with related services seeing double-digit growth [2]. Group 2: Policy Support - The government has implemented policies to promote the replacement of old consumer goods, which has led to increased sales of mid-to-high-end products, particularly in the home appliance sector [4]. - The central government has expanded funding for consumption support from 150 billion yuan to 300 billion yuan, with significant allocations already made to stimulate consumer spending [4]. - Financial institutions are being encouraged to increase support for service sectors and the elderly care industry, with a 500 billion yuan fund established to enhance consumption [5]. Group 3: Price Trends - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a mild increase of 0.1% in June, marking the first rise in several months, while core CPI rose by 0.7%, indicating positive changes in the pricing market [6]. - The overall CPI for the first half of the year remained stable with a year-on-year decrease of 0.1%, reflecting adjustments in traditional and new economic drivers [6]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Experts anticipate that more favorable policies will emerge in the second half of the year, with expectations for a gradual recovery in prices and a focus on stabilizing enterprises, promoting employment, and enhancing consumer capacity [7].

Group 1 - Fonterra's Greater China region is undergoing a restructuring, merging its consumer brand team with its food service team to optimize operations and enhance synergies [1] - In the Chinese market, Fonterra's food service business significantly outperforms its consumer brand business, with food service revenue of NZD 2.377 billion (approximately RMB 10.133 billion) in FY2024, compared to consumer products revenue of NZD 394 million (approximately RMB 1.68 billion) [1] - The food service business is considered Fonterra's profit driver, generating a tax profit of NZD 299 million (approximately RMB 1.275 billion) in FY2024, while the consumer products segment reported a tax loss of NZD 15 million (approximately RMB 63.945 million) [1] Group 2 - Fonterra is facing intense competitive pressure, particularly from domestic brands like Miaokelando, which reported a 14% year-on-year revenue growth in its food service series, reaching RMB 1.31 billion in 2024 [2][3] - The ongoing price war in the food service sector is exerting downward pressure on prices, affecting Fonterra's profit margins in its food service business, which has already seen a decline in gross margin [4] - The adjustments being made by Fonterra may be just the beginning in response to market changes and competitive dynamics [5]

Economic Overview - In the first half of the year, Beijing's GDP reached 25,029.2 billion yuan, showing a year-on-year growth of 5.5% at constant prices [1] - The total retail sales of consumer goods in Beijing amounted to 6,734.2 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 3.8% [1] Sector Performance - Retail sales in the fashion and entertainment categories, such as gold and jewelry, sports and entertainment products, and cosmetics, grew by 36.1%, 9.3%, and 7.6% respectively [1] - Green and smart consumption categories, including home appliances and cultural office supplies, saw retail sales increase by 4.6% and 3.1% respectively due to the old-for-new consumption policy [1] - Basic living goods, such as grain and oil, and daily necessities, experienced year-on-year growth of 13.9% and 2.7% respectively [1] Consumption Trends - The decline in retail sales is attributed to insufficient effective demand, intense market competition, and changes in business models of some enterprises [2] - The automotive sector, particularly the fuel vehicle market, has seen a decrease in demand, leading to a decline in retail sales of automotive products and related petroleum products [2] Future Outlook - Beijing aims for an average annual growth of around 5% in total market consumption by 2030, with plans to establish 2-3 new consumption landmarks worth over 100 billion yuan [2] - The total market consumption, which includes both goods and services, is increasingly recognized as a more comprehensive measure of consumption vitality compared to traditional retail sales figures [3] - Service consumption in Beijing grew by 4.7% year-on-year in the first half of the year, driven by a strong demand for experiential consumption [3] - The overall growth rate of total market consumption in Beijing was modest at 0.9% year-on-year, prompting the release of 24 measures to stimulate consumption [3]

Core Insights - Beijing's service consumption is active, but the total retail sales of consumer goods (社零总额) are declining, with a year-on-year decrease of 3.8% in the first half of 2023 [1][5][4] - The overall market consumption in Beijing grew by 0.9% year-on-year, driven by a 4.7% increase in service consumption in sectors like information, transportation, and cultural entertainment [1][7] Consumption Trends - The total retail sales reached 673.42 billion yuan, with a decline in both goods retail (606.16 billion yuan, down 3.8%) and catering revenue (67.26 billion yuan, down 3.6%) [5][6] - Basic living and fashion goods performed well, with sales increases of 13.9% for grain and oil, 36.1% for gold and jewelry, 9.3% for sports and entertainment products, and 7.6% for cosmetics [5][6] - The "old-for-new" consumption policy positively impacted sales in home appliances and cultural office supplies, with increases of 4.6% and 3.1% respectively [5] Consumer Spending - Despite the decline in total retail sales, residents' per capita consumption expenditure grew by 2.8%, with urban residents at 2.6% and rural residents at 4.3% [5][6] - The increase in service consumption is significant, with per capita service expenditure rising by 5.2%, accounting for 58.9% of total consumption expenditure [7] Emerging Consumption Patterns - The "it economy" is experiencing rapid growth, with pet-related consumption reaching 77.375 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.84% [8] - The popularity of niche brands is rising, with 79% of consumers in mainland China accepting these brands, particularly in beauty, fashion, and home goods [8] Policy and Structural Changes - The "Beijing Action Plan for Deepening Reform to Boost Consumption" aims to create an international consumption experience zone and support the establishment of flagship stores and local fashion brands [9] - The market is undergoing a structural adjustment, with service and cultural consumption growing faster than traditional goods consumption, indicating a shift towards a more experience-driven economy [13][14]

Group 1 - Beijing is launching a series of consumer promotion activities focusing on four areas: premium shopping, exquisite dining, exciting tourism, and fine performances to meet diverse consumer needs and support the construction of an international consumption center [1] - Over 500 unique activities will be held across 16 districts and key commercial areas in Beijing, integrating cultural, commercial, tourism, and sports resources to unleash summer consumption potential [1] - Major shopping areas, large malls, museums, and other entities will conduct over 100 summer consumption season activities throughout July, featuring promotions and new product launches tailored to summer shopping demands [1] Group 2 - The integration of cultural, commercial, tourism, and sports sectors has become a key strategy for boosting consumption in Beijing, as outlined in the "Beijing Deepening Reform to Boost Consumption Action Plan" [2] - The plan emphasizes the utilization of cultural resources and the development of new cultural spaces, supporting online performances, virtual exhibitions, and live auctions to enrich entertainment consumption offerings [2] - Since April, the "Buy in China" series of activities has been implemented to enhance consumption quality through policy empowerment, innovative scenarios, and brand cultivation, aligning with the Ministry of Commerce's requirements for thematic and monthly activities [2]

Economic Overview - In June, the total retail sales of consumer goods in China reached 42,287 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 4.8% [1][7] - For the first half of 2025, the total retail sales amounted to 245,458 billion yuan, reflecting a 5.0% year-on-year increase [1][7] - Excluding automobiles, retail sales in June were 37,649 billion yuan, also growing by 4.8% [1][7] - Online retail sales for the first half of 2025 reached 74,295 billion yuan, with an 8.5% year-on-year growth [7] Consumer Behavior - The average working hours for employees have increased from 47.43 hours in 2021 to 49.1 hours in January 2025, which may negatively impact consumer spending time [3][4] - The decline in consumer spending time is particularly affecting service consumption, which has strict time requirements [3] Policy and Initiatives - The government is implementing "anti-involution" policies aimed at encouraging paid leave and flexible work schedules to boost consumption [4] - The "Promoting Consumption Special Action Plan" includes initiatives like exploring spring and autumn breaks for schools [4] Company News - Marriott International announced that CFO Leeny Oberg will retire in 2026 after 26 years with the company, with Jen Mason and Shawn Hill set to take over her roles [8][9] - Tianrun Dairy's major shareholder reduced its holdings of convertible bonds by 101.61 million units, representing 10.26% of the total issued [10] - Good Idea expects a net loss of 15 to 25 million yuan for the first half of 2025, while also projecting a significant increase in net profit after excluding non-recurring items [11] - Maiqu'er anticipates a net profit increase of 102.17% to 103.11% for the first half of 2025 [12] Market Trends - The Shanghai Consumer 80 Index closed at 4,759.65 points, with a slight increase of 0.07% [6] - Douyin is investing hundreds of millions in subsidies to enhance its local lifestyle business, particularly in the hotel sector [16]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is the release of the "Beijing's Special Action Plan for Deepening Reform to Boost Consumption," aiming for an average annual growth of around 5% in total consumption by 2030 and the establishment of 2 to 3 new consumption landmarks worth over 100 billion [1][3] - The plan includes measures to enhance residents' consumption capacity, such as improving the minimum wage adjustment mechanism and promoting labor income through infrastructure projects [3] - The action plan emphasizes support for three key consumption areas: cultural entertainment, esports, and domestic brands, encouraging new business models and international events in these sectors [3] Group 2 - The plan aims to enhance Beijing's global consumption market influence and resource allocation capabilities, contributing to the construction of an international consumption center city [1] - It also highlights the importance of housing fund utilization, allowing depositors to withdraw funds for down payments while applying for personal housing loans [3] - This is not the first initiative focusing on fashion consumption, as a previous plan was released in June 2023 to expand fashion consumption [4]