A new round of consumer coupons are issued in many places, covering catering, accommodation, movies and other fields
In recent weeks, multiple departments have rolled out a comprehensive package of policies aimed at stimulating consumption and enhancing the well-being of citizens. These initiatives focus on cultivating new consumption formats and implementing measures to boost consumer spending. As part of the “Year of Consumption Promotion,” national commerce departments are driving efforts with a dual approach of “policy + activities.” This involves not only introducing a series of measures to expand domestic demand but also organizing a variety of vibrant consumption promotion activities that continuously innovate consumption scenarios and formats, gradually enhancing market vitality.
At a bustling restaurant in the Jiefangbei business district of Chongqing, every table is filled. The restaurant manager shares with us that traditional Chongqing dishes like Goji Berry Oxtail Soup and Quality Beef have lured many customers, with hundreds of servings sold each day.
In late September, Chongqing launched an initiative called “Yuwai 360 Bowls,” focusing on the city’s core commercial areas, unique neighborhoods, and tourist spots. This program aims to bring 360 signature Chongqing dishes into these communities, effectively unleashing the potential of dining consumption.
Similarly, Guangzhou has embraced food to drive consumer spending. The Canton Fair has attracted a large influx of foreign buyers, with some hotels showcasing exhibitions of Guangzhou’s culinary culture in their lobbies. This includes mini displays of the local food street and vintage menus, igniting excitement among international guests about the local offerings.
As October began, various regions across the country started distributing a new round of consumer vouchers. In Shanghai, vouchers covering several sectors, including dining, accommodation, movies, and sports, have been released in batches. Meanwhile, Hubei has directed its focus on the younger demographic, launching 50 million yuan worth of vouchers for 3C digital products, including mobile phones and digital cameras, offering discounts of up to 1,000 yuan.
Deng Yujie, head of the digital department at a commercial center in Wuhan, Hubei, noted, “Since we launched the 3C digital vouchers on October 16, we’ve seen a comparison with last year’s data that shows an overall increase of over 100% in mobile phone sales, and more than 60% growth in sales of digital cameras and Bluetooth headphones.”
Dr. Du Peng, head of the Marketing Management Department at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, added that the leverage effect of consumer vouchers is significant — for other product categories, it is about 1:3, while for 3C products, it’s as high as 1:10.
Data indicate that Hubei has issued 120 million yuan worth of digital vouchers this year, driving consumption exceeding 800 million yuan, with plans to distribute a total of 150 million yuan worth of digital vouchers throughout the year.
