Core Insights - The rise of the "single economy" is characterized by strong consumer autonomy, high quality demands, and significant emotional value attached to purchases, with over 40% of consumers identifying as "self-pleasing" [1] - The evolution of consumer society is segmented into four eras, with the current "fourth consumption era" starting in 1998, reflecting a shift towards individual and social tendencies [1] Group 1: Emotional Companionship Industry - The pet economy is thriving, with expanding markets in pet food, healthcare, and supplies, providing emotional comfort and companionship for individuals [4] - Virtual social platforms, including gaming, live streaming, and AI chat, serve as important outlets for emotional connection and social enjoyment for singles [4] Group 2: Personalized Consumption Industry - Single-person dining establishments, such as solo hotpot restaurants, create a comfortable dining atmosphere for singles to enjoy food [7] - Customized travel experiences cater to single travelers' interests and schedules, enhancing the uniqueness of their trips [7] - The emergence of single apartments offers independent, private, and comfortable living spaces for single individuals [7] - The self-improvement sector is booming, with vocational education and skill training helping singles enhance their workplace competitiveness [7] Group 3: Experiential Scene - New business models like single cinemas and capsule hotels cleverly transform "loneliness" into a unique selling point, providing distinctive experiences for single consumers [9] - Technological innovations, such as big data analysis and smart home solutions, enhance convenience and lifestyle management for singles [9] - VR social platforms offer immersive interaction experiences, expanding social boundaries for single individuals [9]

Core Insights - The single economy, characterized by strong autonomy in consumption decisions, high quality demands, and significant emotional value, is emerging as a new consumer force in China, with over 230 million single individuals, of which more than 40% are "self-pleasing" consumers [1][5][18] - This economic trend reflects profound social structural changes and holds immense potential and possibilities for future growth [3][18] Industry Overview - The single economy has given rise to a multi-trillion market ecosystem, encompassing various sectors that cater to the "one-person demand" [5][10] - Key industries include convenience services such as mini home appliances, 24-hour convenience stores, and food delivery services, which meet the needs of single individuals for a "small yet exquisite" lifestyle [5][6] - The pet economy is thriving, providing emotional companionship through pet food, medical care, and supplies, while virtual social platforms like gaming and live streaming serve as important outlets for emotional connection [6][8] Consumer Trends - Individualized consumption is on the rise, with single-person restaurants and customized travel experiences catering to the unique preferences of single consumers [8][12] - The self-improvement sector is booming, with vocational education and health management services helping single individuals enhance their professional competitiveness and maintain well-being [8][12] Market Dynamics - The single economy's industry layout shows a multidimensional integration, with upstream material and technology support, midstream product and service provision, and downstream consumer market engagement [10][12] - Instant consumption scenarios, such as convenience stores and food delivery, are frequently utilized by over 60% of single individuals to meet daily needs [10][12] Future Outlook - The next five years will see a complex landscape for the single economy, characterized by consumer segmentation, upgrades, and inherent risks [12][15] - High-end markets will focus on luxury and customized services, while lower-tier markets will expand affordable essential products [12][15] - Technological advancements will continue to enhance service efficiency, with AI and blockchain playing significant roles in consumer trust and platform reliability [12][15] Societal Implications - The development of the single economy requires collaboration among policies, enterprises, and society to create a supportive ecosystem [16][18] - Policies should focus on protecting the rights of single individuals, while businesses need to adopt differentiated strategies and explore cross-industry collaborations [16][18] - Social initiatives should foster single-friendly communities, providing psychological support and promoting inclusivity [16][18]