Chinas New Consumers : Social Development and Domestic Demand

Exploring Chinas consumer revolution over the past three decades, this book shows a continuing cycle leading to excess supply and disappointing demand, at the centre of which lies exaggerated expectations of Chinas new consumers.

Combining economic trends with the authors anthropological background, Chinas New Consumers details the livelihoods and lifestyles of Chinas new and evolving social categories who, divided by wealth, location and generation, have both benefited from and been disadvantaged by the past two decades of reform and rapid economic growth. Given that consumption is about so much more than shopping and spending, this book focuses on the perceptions, priorities and concerns of Chinas new consumers which are an essential part of any contemporary narrative about Chinas domestic market. Documenting the social consequences of several decades of rapid economic growth and the new interest in all-round social development, Chinas New Consumers will be of value to students, entrepreneurs and a wide variety of readers who are interested in social trends and concerns in China today.