Warming products take center-stage

Brands launch innovative categories to satisfy consumer demand

As temperatures drop across China and the country braces for colder weather in the next few weeks, a niche has developed for cozy warming products such as electrothermal blankets and heating scarves.

Traditional hot-water bags have become outdated, and brands are eyeing the "warming market" to launch innovative products such as foot warmers, hand warmers, heating scarves and heating seat cushions to satisfy the increasingly diverse demands of consumers.

Customers living in the southern part of the country, especially those in the Yangtze River Delta region, have indicated a stronger demand for heating products, as a lack of indoor central heating facilities makes homes relatively damp and cold, industry players said.