Core Insights - The report from Zhimeng Consulting highlights that over 80% of consumers engage in "emotional consumption" at least once a month, with 77.8% pursuing "less but better" consumption and 74.4% expecting personal growth from their purchases [1] - Generation Z, defined as those born between 1995 and 2009, is identified as the main consumer group, comprising approximately 300 million individuals, or 20% of the total population, yet contributing to 40% of total consumption [1] - The report predicts ten key consumption trends for 2026, including concepts like "quality calculation" and "AI scenario power" [1] Company Insights - Haier accelerated the development of a new washing machine model after a user-generated design gained significant attention, leading to a product launch in less than two months [2] - The "Lazy Three-Tub Washing Machine" achieved over 10,000 units sold on JD.com within 48 minutes of its launch, with total sales exceeding 1.5 billion yuan [2] - Haier plans to expand its product line based on user feedback, introducing additional products like a standard size version and a shoe washing machine [2] Industry Insights - Xiaohongshu has conducted research linking user emotions to purchasing behavior, identifying 35 major emotional categories and 95 subcategories to inform brand marketing strategies [2] - The platform aims to connect users with brands through a decentralized marketing approach, leveraging its 350 million monthly active users to address consumer needs [3] - Despite the recognition of the importance of understanding consumer needs, translating these insights into actual sales growth remains a challenge for consumer goods companies [4] - Zhimeng Consulting's CEO emphasizes the need for brands to build emotional memory points rather than relying solely on data-driven marketing, suggesting a budget restructuring to prioritize brand building over immediate sales effects [4]