China's 618 shopping festival is setting the summer on fire! This year, record-breaking sales have been powered by innovative trade-in programs and AI-driven insights, creating a fresh, quality-focused shopping spree that blends online and offline channels.
E-commerce giant JD.com reported over 2.2 billion orders by midnight Wednesday, with the number of shoppers more than doubling compared to last year. On the flip side, Tmall saw 453 brands each hit more than 100 million yuan in sales—a 24% jump from the previous year.
The nationwide trade-in initiative is a total game-changer. By encouraging households to swap out old gadgets for the latest models and backed by 300 billion yuan in ultra-long special treasury bonds alongside local government support, the program is boosting demand in sectors ranging from home appliances to cars.
Adding to the buzz is the rapid rise of instant retail. JD.com's takeaway business saw a surge in full-time couriers—rising from 100,000 to over 120,000 in just two weeks—while daily orders climbed past 25 million. Meituan also jumped on the bandwagon with flash sales that doubled transactions in over 50 high-value categories, including smart devices and e-learning products.
From mobile devices soaring by 88% to home appliances leaping 161%, the 618 festival is a powerful sign of a deeper, quality-driven shift in consumer habits. The mix of cutting-edge tech, savvy trade-in programs, and on-demand retail is shaking up how we shop—making this summer a vibrant celebration of innovation and style! 🚀🎉
Reference(s):
Record sales for China's 618 festival, fueled by trade-ins and AI
cgtn.com
