Core Insights - The 2025 Yangtze River Delta International Health and Elderly Care Industry Trade Fair has commenced in Suzhou, featuring a unique "Silver Age Market" for immersive product experiences [1] - This year's event has shifted focus from a business-to-business (B2B) model to a consumer-oriented (B2C) approach, themed "New Economy for the Silver-haired, Enjoying Trendy Life" [1] - The trade fair spans 5,000 square meters and includes four key modules showcasing the new ecology of the silver economy [1] Group 1 - The "Silver Age Market" offers a variety of senior-friendly products, including health foods, rehabilitation aids, smart wearables, and daily necessities, aiming to provide a high-quality shopping experience for the elderly [1] - The event is expected to attract thousands of elderly visitors by actively engaging with elderly care institutions and senior universities [1] Group 2 - The trade fair is held concurrently with the "China Silver Age Choir Conference," featuring 50 choir teams and nearly 2,000 elderly participants, creating a vibrant cultural celebration [2] - Additional activities include the "Cultural Elderly Care Theme Exchange Conference," "Financial + Elderly Care Dialogue," and "Sino-Australian Silver Industry Cross-border Cooperation Meeting," focusing on industry frontier topics [2]

Core Insights - The article discusses the shift from free returns to paid returns in the retail industry, highlighting how many brands are now charging customers for returns, which was previously a competitive advantage for e-commerce [1][2][3] Group 1: The Cost of Returns - The concept of free returns originated to alleviate consumer concerns about online shopping, popularized by Zappos and later adopted by Amazon [2] - The average return rate in the U.S. retail industry has reached 16.5%, translating to $165 billion in returned goods for every $1 trillion in sales [3] - Return processing costs can account for 30%-40% of the product price, leading to significant losses for brands when items are returned [3] Group 2: Transition to Paid Returns - Amazon has introduced a $1 handling fee for returns on certain items, resulting in a 12% decrease in overall return rates without negatively impacting sales [5][6] - Other retailers like Zara and H&M are following suit, implementing return fees and adjusting return policies to share costs with consumers [7] Group 3: Considerations for Small and Medium Brands - Increased tariffs on imports have pressured brands financially, leading them to reconsider return policies to avoid losses [8] - Brands like Joe & Bella and Bejou are exploring innovative solutions such as return insurance to manage costs while maintaining customer service [9][10] Group 4: Consumer Reactions - Over 60% of consumers understand the rationale behind return fees, yet 57% would leave a retailer that charges for returns, indicating a conflict between rational understanding and emotional response [11] - A growing number of consumers believe that return fees will encourage more thoughtful purchasing decisions, reflecting a shift in consumer behavior [12]

Core Insights - The launch of Li Jiaqi's new live streaming channel "All Parents' Happy Home" targets the silver economy, focusing on the elderly consumer demographic [1][3][8] - The channel has quickly gained popularity, with over 2.4 million views on its first day and accumulating 230,600 followers within three days [1][3] - The live streaming format has adapted to suit older audiences, featuring a slower pace and a more family-oriented atmosphere [6][12] Group 1: Market Trends - The silver economy is becoming a significant focus for the live streaming industry, with increasing numbers of channels targeting elderly consumers [8][11] - Data shows that the elderly demographic is increasingly engaging with online content, with an average of 129 hours of internet usage per month, indicating potential for e-commerce growth [9] - The overall cosmetics market in China is experiencing a slowdown, with retail sales down 2.7% year-on-year as of April 2024, prompting a shift in focus for established beauty influencers [6][7] Group 2: Product Offerings - The "Happy Home" live streaming channel features over 130 product links, including elder clothing, health supplements, and home medical devices, with a wide price range [4][6] - The average price for elder clothing is around 100 yuan, while some gold jewelry items can reach up to 10,000 yuan, showcasing a diverse product range [4] Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Elderly consumers show a higher emotional connection to live streaming, often valuing the interaction with hosts over the products themselves, leading to impulsive purchasing behavior [11][12] - A survey indicated that over 63% of elderly consumers enjoy the atmosphere of live streaming and the interaction with hosts, which significantly influences their purchasing decisions [11]