Chinese Consumers Have Spent USD2.3 Billion Dodging Chores So Far This Year
Zhang Yushuo
DATE:  Dec 11 2018
/ SOURCE:  yicai
Chinese Consumers Have Spent USD2.3 Billion Dodging Chores So Far This Year Chinese Consumers Have Spent USD2.3 Billion Dodging Chores So Far This Year

(Yicai Global) Dec. 11 -- Chinese consumers have spent CNY16 billion (USD2.3 billion) so far this year to avoid physical labor, and younger spenders are the biggest culprits, according to data from Taobao.

The figure was up 70 percent from last year, Alibaba's e-commerce trading platform said in its 'lazy consumption' report yesterday, which tracks purchases of commodities or services that do chores -- like vacuum robots and automatic window cleaners.

Demand for such products is most prevalent among those born after 1995, who spent 82 percent more on them so far this year, and lazy consumption is growing so fast that Alibaba even hires a 'lazy employee' to monitor and evaluate these goods.

But the expansion does not stop at just products, the increased demand for 'automated' chores has spawned a host of service providers operating through Taobao, offering to do things like grocery shopping and housekeeping for consumers.

Those most likely to purchase the goods and services are based in coastal areas, according to the data, with Guangdong province the biggest spenders in the sector.

Some of the fastest growing product categories annually were

-  Cosmetics to make getting ready easier (up 150 percent)

-  Self-heating hotpots (up 150 percent)

-  Other kitchen appliances, like automatic cookers (up 81 percent)

-  Robotic vacuums (up 30 percent)

-  Home products, like melon seed shells (up 28 percent).

Editor: James Boynton

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Keywords:   Taobao,Alibaba,E-Commerce