Core Insights - The article emphasizes that despite the prevailing narrative of economic hardship, certain industries are thriving and generating substantial profits, particularly in the context of Japan's "lost 30 years" and its implications for China [3][4]. Group 1: Emerging Opportunities - The article identifies eight key industries that are experiencing growth despite a low-desire society, highlighting that consumer demand is shifting rather than disappearing [4][5]. - The second-hand economy is booming, with examples like Japan's "Daikokuya" and China's "Hongbulin" and "Panghu" seeing significant revenue increases as consumers opt for second-hand luxury goods [6][7][8][9]. - The pet economy is flourishing, with brands like "Inaba" in Japan and "Guibao" in China witnessing strong sales, as younger generations prioritize spending on pets over traditional family structures [11][12][13][14][15]. Group 2: Health and Wellness Trends - The adult care market is expanding, with Japan's "Unicharm" leading the adult diaper segment, which has surpassed $10 billion in market size, indicating a potential growth area in China [16][17][18]. - Health food and beverage sectors are rising due to changing demographics and increased health awareness, with brands like "Oriental Leaf" and "Jianchun" gaining traction in the post-pandemic era [21][22]. Group 3: Beauty and Lifestyle - The beauty economy is thriving, with products like collagen supplements and home beauty devices achieving significant sales, reflecting a consumer desire for affordable beauty solutions [23][25]. - Outdoor and leisure activities are gaining popularity, with brands like "Snow Peak" in Japan and various Chinese outdoor brands experiencing rapid sales growth, as consumers seek experiences over material possessions [25][26][27]. Group 4: Emotional and Convenience Economies - The emotional economy is highlighted through the success of brands like "Labubu" and "Rio," which cater to consumers' desires for comfort and enjoyment during challenging times [28][29][30]. - The convenience economy is on the rise, with frozen food brands and smart home appliances addressing the needs of younger generations who have less time for cooking [33][35][36]. Group 5: Strategic Planning and Future Outlook - The article concludes by urging businesses to adapt their strategies in light of these emerging trends, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and resource allocation to thrive in a low-desire economy [39][40].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that despite the prevailing narrative of economic hardship, certain industries are thriving and generating substantial profits, particularly in the context of Japan's "lost 30 years" and its implications for China [3][4]. Group 1: Economic Trends - The concept of a "low-desire society" does not equate to a lack of opportunities, as consumer behavior is shifting towards different spending patterns [4]. - The article identifies "consumption upgrading" and "demand migration" as significant business opportunities in the current economic landscape [5]. Group 2: Key Industries - The second-hand economy is booming, with examples like Japan's "Daikokuya" and China's "Hongbulin" and "Panghu" seeing significant revenue increases as consumers opt for second-hand luxury goods [6][7]. - The pet economy is on the rise, with brands like "Inaba" in Japan and "Guobao" in China experiencing strong sales growth, reflecting a shift in spending towards pet care products [12][13][14]. - The adult care market is expanding, with Japan's "Unicharm" leading the adult diaper segment, which has surpassed $10 billion in market size [17][18]. - Health food and beverage sectors are thriving due to changing demographics and rising health consciousness, with brands like "Oriental Tree Leaf" and "Jianchun" gaining traction in China [21]. - The beauty economy remains robust, with products like collagen supplements and home beauty devices seeing high sales, indicating a persistent consumer desire for self-improvement [23][24][26]. - Outdoor leisure activities are gaining popularity, with brands like "Kailas" and "Camel" in China experiencing rapid sales growth as consumers seek outdoor experiences [29][31]. - The "lazy economy" is emerging, with increased demand for convenience foods and smart home appliances, as consumers prioritize time-saving solutions over traditional cooking [39][40][42]. Group 3: Market Opportunities - The article suggests that the current economic climate presents opportunities for those willing to invest in counter-cyclical sectors, highlighting the importance of recognizing and seizing these opportunities [44].

Group 1: Marriage and Family Trends - The number of marriage registrations in 2024 is 6.106 million pairs, a decrease of 1.574 million pairs or 20.5% from the previous year, marking the lowest level since 1980 [2] - The marriage rate has dropped to 4.3‰, with over 240 million single adults, indicating a trend of young people delaying marriage due to economic pressures and high living costs [2][5] - The demand for wedding-related services has decreased significantly, with wedding orders down by 40% compared to five years ago, leading to the closure of many wedding-related businesses [2] Group 2: Consumer Spending and Economic Sentiment - Overall consumer spending is declining, with the 618 shopping festival experiencing its first negative growth, and a significant drop in the consumption confidence index to 88.5 points, the lowest in ten years [4][5] - 62% of individuals aged 25 to 35 are only purchasing necessities, with discretionary spending dropping from 28% to 19% [4] - The average monthly savings rate is 35%, and there is a notable decrease in the use of credit card installments by 10% [4] Group 3: Emerging Consumption Trends - Five new consumption sectors are thriving despite the overall decline in traditional consumption: pet economy (300.2 billion), outdoor sports (over 400 billion), aromatherapy (12 billion), health and wellness (80 billion), and emotional economy (1200 billion) [9][11][13] - The pet economy is growing at 7.5%, with 80 million pet-owning households, while the outdoor sports sector has seen a rise in new participants, reaching 520 million [9][11] - The emotional economy, driven by trends in collectibles and toys, is projected to grow significantly, with blind box sales expected to reach 58 billion by 2025 [13][15] Group 4: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - The shift in consumer spending from traditional family-oriented purchases to individual experiences is evident, with a focus on emotional and experiential value [7][15] - The total market size of the five emerging sectors exceeds one trillion, indicating a robust potential for growth in these areas [15][17] - The trend of low desire for traditional consumption is not indicative of a lack of spending power but rather a shift towards more meaningful and emotionally resonant purchases [17]

Group 1 - The core idea is that despite a perceived economic downturn, certain industries are thriving and generating significant profits, particularly in Japan and China [2][3][29] - The concept of a "low-desire society" does not equate to a lack of opportunities; instead, it presents unique business prospects [3][29] - Consumption patterns are shifting, with a focus on second-hand markets and affordable luxury items, indicating a migration of demand [4][5][6][7][8] Group 2 - The second-hand economy is booming, with platforms like Xianyu and Zhuanzhuan seeing substantial growth in user activity and transaction volume [8][9] - The pet economy is flourishing, with brands like Inaba in Japan and Guobao in China experiencing strong sales, reflecting a shift in spending priorities towards pet care [10][11][12] - The adult care market is expanding, particularly in China, with products like adult diapers showing significant growth potential [13][14][15] Group 3 - Health food and beverage sectors are rising due to changing demographics and increased health awareness, with brands like Dongfang Shuye and Jianchun gaining traction [17][18][19] - The beauty and personal care market is thriving, with products like Ulike hair removal devices achieving substantial sales [20] - Outdoor and leisure products are seeing increased demand, with brands like Kailas and Camel experiencing rapid sales growth [21] Group 4 - The emotional economy is gaining traction, with brands like Labubu and Rio catering to consumers seeking comfort and enjoyment [22][23] - The convenience economy is on the rise, with frozen food brands and smart home appliances addressing the needs of younger generations who prioritize time-saving solutions [25][26][27][28] - The overall trend indicates that in a low-desire market, time-saving innovations may hold more commercial value than cost-saving measures [28][29]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that despite the prevailing narrative of economic hardship, certain industries are thriving and generating substantial profits, particularly in the context of Japan's "lost 30 years" and its implications for China [3][4]. Group 1: Emerging Opportunities - The concept of a "low-desire society" does not equate to a lack of opportunities; instead, it presents new avenues for business growth [4]. - Consumer behavior is shifting towards second-hand markets, with significant growth in platforms like Xianyu and Zhuanzhuan, indicating a rising demand for second-hand goods [6][9]. - The pet economy is booming, with brands like Guobao and Zhongchong seeing strong sales as consumers prioritize spending on pets over traditional family structures [11][12][15]. - The adult care market is expanding, particularly in China, where products like adult diapers are expected to see significant growth due to an aging population [16][18]. - The beauty and wellness sectors are thriving, with products like collagen supplements and at-home beauty devices gaining popularity, reflecting a continued consumer focus on aesthetics [23]. - Outdoor and leisure activities are on the rise, with brands in camping and outdoor gear experiencing increased sales as consumers seek experiences over material possessions [24][30]. - The emotional economy is gaining traction, with products that provide comfort and joy, such as low-alcohol beverages, becoming increasingly popular [25][26]. - The "lazy economy" is emerging, driven by younger generations who prefer convenience, leading to growth in frozen food and smart home appliances [29][31]. Group 2: Market Trends and Strategies - The article suggests that the current economic climate, often viewed as a "winter," actually presents opportunities for those willing to invest in counter-cyclical sectors [33]. - The upcoming event, "Black Horse Consumption Rise," aims to provide insights into how Japanese and Chinese companies can thrive in a stock market era through product innovation and brand expansion [34][39]. - The importance of understanding consumer needs and market segmentation is highlighted, with successful companies focusing on niche markets and innovative product offerings [42]. - The article discusses the significance of global branding and the need for Chinese companies to build trust in international markets through effective storytelling and cultural adaptation [43][49].

Core Insights - The global economy is facing multiple challenges, with growth expected to slow down to approximately 3.0% by 2025 according to the IMF [2] - Eight industries are identified as resilient during economic downturns, drawing lessons from Japan's "lost 30 years" experience [2] Industry Analysis - **Japanese Economic Characteristics**: Japan's economy has been in decline since 1992, with growth rates fluctuating between 0-3%, and significant drops in stock and real estate prices [4] - **Consumer Behavior Changes**: Post-1992, Japanese household consumption exhibited a trend towards frugality, with no consecutive annual increases exceeding 1% until 2022 [4][6] - **Counter-Cyclical Industry Performance**: Beauty and caffeine-related products saw significant growth during Japan's economic downturn, with beauty products increasing by 45.9% and caffeine beverages by 127% from 1992 to 2022 [7][16] Demand Shifts - **Consumer Segmentation**: Different consumer groups exhibit varied spending behaviors based on income, age, and occupation, leading to new consumption demands [10] - **Demand Migration**: Consumers shifted from luxury to value-driven purchases during economic downturns, emphasizing practicality and price [11] - **Demand Triangle Model**: This model illustrates the core consumer needs during spending, highlighting the psychological aspects of consumer behavior [12] Resilient Industries - **Second-Hand Economy**: The second-hand luxury market in Japan has thrived, with significant growth potential in China, where the market is expected to reach over 1 trillion yuan by 2026 [17][20] - **Pet Economy**: The pet industry in Japan showed resilience during economic downturns, with China's market projected to exceed 1.15 trillion yuan by 2028 [21][24] - **Adult Care Industry**: Driven by an aging population, this sector is expected to see rapid growth, with China's market projected to surpass 100 billion yuan by 2030 [25][28] - **Health Food and Beverage**: The market for health-oriented products is growing, with a focus on low-sugar options and functional beverages [29][31] - **Beauty Economy**: The medical beauty market is expanding rapidly, with projections indicating a market size of 700 billion yuan by 2031 [34][37] - **Outdoor Recreation**: The outdoor market is expected to reach 300 billion yuan by 2025, driven by increasing consumer interest in outdoor activities [41] - **Emotional Economy**: This sector is projected to exceed 2 trillion yuan by 2025, reflecting a growing consumer focus on emotional well-being [46] - **Lazy Economy**: The market for convenience products is expected to surpass 5 trillion yuan by 2030, driven by the demand for time-saving solutions [51] Comparative Market Insights - **Market Size Comparison**: The second-hand economy in China is approximately 150 billion yuan, significantly lower than Japan's 20-30% market penetration [54] - **Growth Potential**: The pet economy in China is robust, with a projected market size of 300 billion yuan, comparable to Japan's market [54] - **Future Trends**: Understanding these industries' growth logic and future trends will help identify new business opportunities in a seemingly sluggish economic environment [55]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses how certain industries are thriving despite a general perception of economic downturn, highlighting eight sectors that present significant business opportunities in a low-desire society [3]. Group 1: Economic Trends - The concept of a "low-desire society" does not equate to a lack of opportunities, as consumer behavior is shifting towards different spending patterns [4]. - The phenomenon of consumption upgrading and demand migration is identified as the largest business opportunity [5]. Group 2: Key Industries - **Second-hand Economy**: The second-hand luxury market in Japan, represented by companies like Daikokuya, has seen a significant revenue increase. In China, platforms like Hongbulin and Panghu are experiencing similar growth [6][7]. - **Pet Economy**: Despite declining birth rates, spending on pets is increasing, with brands like Inaba in Japan and Guobao in China seeing strong sales [10][11]. The pet healthcare sector is also expanding rapidly [12][13]. - **Adult Care**: The adult diaper market in Japan has surpassed $10 billion, indicating a substantial growth potential for similar products in China [14][15][16]. - **Health Food and Beverages**: Changes in population structure and rising health awareness are driving the growth of sugar-free beverages and functional foods in both Japan and China [19][20]. - **Beauty Economy**: The demand for beauty products, such as collagen supplements and home beauty devices, remains strong, indicating that beauty is both an economic and therapeutic necessity [22]. - **Outdoor and Leisure**: The outdoor equipment market is thriving, with brands in China experiencing rapid sales growth, reflecting a desire for leisure activities despite economic constraints [22]. - **Emotional Economy**: Products that provide emotional comfort, such as low-alcohol beverages and unique consumer goods, are gaining popularity [23][24]. - **Convenience Economy**: The demand for convenience foods and smart home appliances is rising as younger generations seek to save time in cooking and household chores [27][28]. Group 3: Market Outlook - The article suggests that while many perceive the current market as a "cold winter," the true winners are those who can identify and invest in counter-cyclical opportunities [31].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses how certain industries are thriving despite a general perception of economic downturn, highlighting eight sectors that present significant business opportunities in a low-desire society [3][4]. Group 1: Key Industries - **Second-hand Economy**: The second-hand luxury market in Japan, represented by companies like Daikokuya, has seen a surge in revenue. In China, platforms like Hongbulin and Panghu are experiencing similar growth [6][7][9]. - **Pet Economy**: Despite declining birth rates, spending on pets is increasing, with brands like Inaba in Japan and Guobao in China seeing strong sales. The pet healthcare sector is also expanding significantly [10][11][13][14]. - **Adult Care**: The adult diaper market in Japan has surpassed $10 billion, indicating a growing potential for similar products in China, driven by an aging population [15][16][17]. - **Health Food and Beverages**: Changes in population structure and rising health awareness have led to the success of sugar-free products and functional beverages in both Japan and China [20][21]. - **Beauty Economy**: The demand for beauty products remains strong, with companies like Jinbo Bio achieving high market valuations through collagen products, indicating a persistent consumer interest in beauty [23]. - **Outdoor and Leisure**: The outdoor equipment market is thriving, with brands in China experiencing rapid sales growth, reflecting a desire for leisure activities despite economic constraints [24]. - **Emotional Economy**: Brands like Labubu and Rio are capitalizing on the need for emotional comfort, showing that consumers are willing to spend on experiences that provide joy [24][25]. - **Lazy Economy**: The trend towards convenience is evident in the growth of frozen food brands and smart home appliances, which cater to a generation with less time for cooking [28][29][30]. Group 2: Market Insights - The article emphasizes that even in a low-desire economy, there are significant opportunities for those willing to invest in counter-cyclical sectors. It encourages stakeholders to recognize and act on these emerging trends [32].

Core Insights - The article discusses how certain industries are thriving despite the prevailing narrative of economic hardship, highlighting eight sectors that present significant business opportunities in a low-desire society [3][4]. Group 1: Key Industries - The second-hand economy is booming, with companies like Dabaiku in Japan and Hongbulin in China seeing substantial revenue growth as consumers turn to second-hand luxury goods [8][6]. - The pet economy is flourishing, with brands like Inaba and Guobao experiencing strong stock performance, as consumers prioritize spending on pet products over traditional family expenses [9][10]. - The adult care market, exemplified by Unicharm's success in Japan, is projected to grow significantly in China, driven by an aging population [14][16]. - Health food and beverage sectors are expanding, with brands like Dongfang Shuye and Jianchun capitalizing on the rising health consciousness among consumers [19][20]. - The beauty economy remains robust, with products like collagen supplements and home beauty devices achieving high sales, indicating a persistent demand for beauty solutions [23]. - Outdoor and leisure products are gaining traction, with brands like Snow Peak and Kailas seeing increased sales as consumers seek outdoor experiences [25]. - The emotional economy is on the rise, with brands like Labubu and Rio catering to consumers' desires for comfort and enjoyment [27][28]. - The convenience economy is thriving, with frozen food brands and smart home appliances addressing the needs of younger generations who prioritize time-saving solutions [32][33]. Group 2: Market Trends - The article emphasizes that even in a low-desire period, there are significant opportunities for companies that can identify and invest in counter-cyclical sectors [36]. - The upcoming seminar aims to provide insights into the methodologies of successful consumer giants in Japan and China, focusing on efficiency, demand reconstruction, and capital strategies [37].