Core Insights - The upcoming Year of the Horse in 2026 is driving a consumption boom in China, with various creative products inspired by the horse theme gaining popularity and impressive sales figures [1][2][4] Group 1: Cultural and Creative Products - Non-heritage gifts have become a new trend for the Spring Festival, with sales of related products increasing by 187% year-on-year, particularly for horse-themed items like Suzhou embroidery and woodblock prints [2] - The Gansu Provincial Museum has launched a series of plush toys inspired by the bronze galloping horse, achieving nearly 1,000 sales in just one week [6] - The Shandong Art Museum's soft clay horse "Ma Biao Biao" has generated over 420,000 yuan in sales during its exhibition period, showcasing the success of cultural products [6] Group 2: Emotional Resonance in Consumer Behavior - 70% of consumers purchase horse-themed products for emotional resonance rather than traditional auspicious meanings, marking a shift towards a "sympathy era" in cultural consumption [11] - The "crying horse" toy, which gained popularity due to its unique design, saw a 300% increase in orders within three days, illustrating the power of emotional connection in product appeal [11] - The "green horse" series from the Gansu Provincial Museum sold approximately 20,000 units in its first week, emphasizing the trend of emotional consumption [11] Group 3: Industry Upgrades and Innovations - The cultural and creative industry is undergoing a transformation from "extensive production" to "refined operation," with intelligent manufacturing and flexible supply chains becoming key drivers of market growth [13] - Intelligent production lines in Shantou, Guangdong, have significantly improved product quality and efficiency, with investments exceeding 150 million yuan [14] - Flexible supply chains allow for small-batch, rapid iteration production, enabling brands to quickly respond to market demands [14][15] Group 4: Digital and E-commerce Integration - The integration of digital technology and social media has revitalized the industry, allowing companies to capture market trends and consumer preferences effectively [15] - E-commerce platforms have expanded the reach of cultural products, with 77 museums opening official flagship stores on Tmall, leading to over 5,000 new quality cultural products launched in 2025 [9][15] - The emotional and experiential aspects of consumption are becoming increasingly important, with a shift towards personalized and high-quality service consumption [16]