Spring Festival to boost sales of imported goods in smaller cities
Rise in disposable income and digital solutions fuel surge in purchases
Belgian beer, Thai rice, New Zealand milk, Norwegian salmon, Canadian Arctic sweet shrimp and Chilean cherries-these are just a small part of a long list of affordable options for Chinese consumers from lower-tier cities and towns to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year, which will fall on Jan 25 this year.
Shopping for festive goods has long been a tradition in China, not only for family celebrations, but also for gifts sent to relatives and friends.
Nowadays, imported goods are no longer exclusive to residents in first-and second-tier cities, owing to the rise in the disposable income of people in third-to fifth-tier cities, along with convenient and efficient e-commerce channels, experts said.