Chinese consumers are eager to purchase luxury as a means of social advancement and self-differentiation, finds KPMG report

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 20 January 2023 – The Chinese Mainland’s rapid urbanisation and economic development has led to a booming luxury market, and purchasing habits of consumers have become more complex than ever. Chinese consumers are eager to purchase luxury as a means of social advancement and self-differentiation. They are also highly accustomed to shopping during their travels, with over 70% of Chinese consumers planning to travel overseas after the lifting of the Chinese Mainland’s quarantine requirements.

The 2023 KPMG China and DLG (Digital Luxury Group) Luxury Redefined: Building trust with Chinese consumers through authenticity and integrity report is based on a survey of 2,653 consumers living in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. In this study, KPMG identified key takeaways for luxury brands to consider in targeting the evolving Chinese consumer, including being purpose-driven, respecting local culture, leveraging digitalisation, understanding the new luxury concept and capitalising on Gen Z growth. The report also draws upon insights from in-depth interviews with executives from the luxury industry to supplement the findings.

Willi Sun, Head of Advisory, Consumer & Retail, KPMG China, says: “Given the rapid development of the country throughout the years, Chinese consumers are evolving fast and have developed a global perspective within a relatively short period of time compared with other mature economies. The definition of luxury among Chinese consumers may not always be the same as how the West views luxury.”

Purchasing power is a critical factor in the ability to buy luxury items and drives the development of consumer mentality. According to the survey, Chinese consumers were found to have the confidence to spend, with increased income and economic development allowing for greater purchasing power and thus a growing appetite for luxury goods. They are eager to purchase luxury as a means of social advancement and the expression of personality, and highly influenced by media content in their purchasing decisions.

Gen Z is rapidly becoming the largest consumer base for luxury brands, and their propensity to consume is quite strong. Based on the survey, 21% of Gen Z survey respondents are willing to spend more than 16% of their income on luxury – a relatively large proportion for individuals who have just completed their first degree or recently entered the job market. Their preferred channels for purchasing are key e-commerce platforms and brand official channels.

Following nearly three years in relative isolation, massive shifts in the global luxury market are to be expected once leisure travel for Chinese shoppers resumes as well. A couple of phases can be expected during this reopening process: The first phase will be a period of transition where actual travel might be slow to pick up, and a second phase is expected to kick in when travel truly resumes. COVID-19 has irrevocably impacted the shopping patterns of Chinese consumers, and an immediate rebound in spending and return to old habits is unlikely. However, an adjustment in the proportion of domestic and international luxury spending can be expected. At the same time, when international travel resumes for Chinese shoppers, additional questions related to consumer data collection and the reactivation of these shoppers when they return to China will also resurface.

While WeChat has been the most appealing platform in China for CRM because of its advanced data collection capabilities that allow for better consumer segmentation and more effective life cycle communications, international brands in the market do not always have the right infrastructure in place.

Pablo Mauron, Partner and Managing Director of China, DLG (Digital Luxury Group), says: “Global brands have been able to get by with a somewhat extended version of their global CRM infrastructure in China until the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) came into effect in 2021. With these new regulations, brands now have to completely rethink their consumer data infrastructure to both meet local regulations and maximise performance – something that is exceedingly important at a time when customer retention and life cycles have become a growing focus for brands.”

Young people are also increasingly adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle. This trend is reflected in the increased demand for sustainable travel, with the consumer survey indicating that 90% of Chinese Mainland respondents agreed to put more effort into achieving sustainable travel. According to the survey, the younger generation places a higher importance on sustainability and corporate responsibility when making luxury purchases: 30% of surveyed consumers aged 18 to 24 think it is a key consideration, compared with only 16% for those aged between 45 to 54.

Jennifer Weng, Head of Tax, Consumer & Retail, KPMG China, says: “Mindsets of Chinese consumers may change due to external factors such as relevant policies on ESG and brands’ initiatives around consumer education. Some of these top-down actions are pushing consumers to think and act differently than they would have without this influence, leading to higher awareness and different purchasing behaviours.”

The definition of luxury is changing. The study found that corporate responsibility was the second most important factor in potentially changing consumers’ purchasing habits and mentality. In addition, when preferred brands are found to conflict with a consumer’s personal beliefs or values, more than 40% of respondents will stop purchasing from those brands, and even persuade others to do the same.

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