ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Opinion

COVID's end will not bring back China's free-spending shoppers

Pandemic-driven shift toward essentials and online retail likely to be long-term

| China
Residents visit reopened retail shops in Beijing on May 29: The new way of thinking is shared by a broad swathe of consumers.   © AP

Karl Shen is director of China corporate research at Fitch Ratings. Jenny Huang is senior director of China corporate research at Fitch.

Brand-conscious consumers and eager spenders have dominated the shopping scene in China over the past decade, but many started to question their consumption-oriented lifestyles after COVID-19 lockdowns spread across the country earlier this year and economic growth became sluggish.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more