China's spring blooms fuel outdoor gear sales, drive seasonal spending

China's outdoor gear market is surging with the arrival of spring. Warmer weather and blossoming flowers have sparked a new wave of consumer spending, turning parks and retail stores into hubs of economic activity.

From hiking equipment to traditional Chinese attire, consumers are embracing the season with enthusiasm -- setting new trends and driving sales.

In Beijing, the early arrival of spring has brought more than just blooming flowers. Parks like Chaoyang are bustling with residents and tourists alike, taking photos, flying kites, and enjoying the outdoors as more people reconnect with nature.

"We’re here for our spring outing," said a young man in the park.

"We just bought a brand-new kite to enjoy the season," added his friend.

Two expats soaking in the blossoms and sunshine shared their impressions of the season.

The man said, "We're coming around and checking if the spring has come or not. For instance, there are some trees which are blooming now."

His companion added, "For now, we just enjoy the weather, the good weather, the good air."

Locals are also getting into the spirit of the season.

"Lately, Chaoyang Park has been bustling with more people, thanks to the arrival of spring. I've even bought a new pair of outdoor glasses," said a Beijing resident.

"I just bought a new Hanfu outfit, along with a matching umbrella and a purse designed in traditional Chinese style," said another local, proudly showcasing her spring ensemble.

Enthusiasm for outdoor activities has translated into strong sales for retailers. In Beijing’s outdoor gear stores, consumers are upgrading their equipment -- from high-performance hiking poles to essential camping supplies.

"With the weather warming up, I'm excited to plan a camping trip with friends. I've already picked up a picnic mat and a cooler, so now all I need to do is choose the perfect tent," one shopper said.

"Now that spring has arrived, I'm gearing up for some exciting hiking adventures. Check out this fantastic backpack I just picked up for the trails," said another shopper, clearly looking forward to his next outdoor trip.

Yang Yang, operating manager of the Decathlon Beijing Changying store, said sales have grown significantly since the start of spring.

"Since the onset of spring, Decathlon has experienced significant sales growth, largely driven by the warmer weather. The surge is particularly evident in sports gear, with hiking and tennis equipment seeing a 10 percent year-over-year increase. High-demand hiking items are currently outpacing supply. Additionally, consumer demand is becoming more diversified, with a notable rise in family-oriented purchases. We anticipate that our outdoor gear sales will experience a substantial boom between April and May this year," she said.

The "spring economy" is also being revitalized by technology-driven innovations. Cultural and tourism bureaus are introducing AI-powered flower-viewing platforms and virtual spring tours, making it easier for people to enjoy the season.

Meanwhile, robotic exoskeletons are helping elderly hikers explore mountain trails with greater ease. These tech-infused trends are laying a strong foundation for economic growth in 2025, blending tradition with innovation to create a dynamic consumer landscape.

China’s spring boom fuels outdoor gear sales, drives seasonal spending

China’s spring boom fuels outdoor gear sales, drives seasonal spending

China will remain a major contributor to global growth and a key economic partner to the European Union (EU) as long as the country successfully tackles the demand side of its economy and work with the EU to achieve a level playing field in trade and investment, said a German economist.

Lars-Hendrik Roller is founder and chairman of Berlin Global Dialogue, an economic forum bringing together experts from various sectors. He is in Beijing to attend the China Development Forum (CDF) 2025, which has attracted representatives from a wide array of multinational companies as well as organizations from around the globe.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the CDF, Roller shared his insight into how China can effectively address problems in the consumption sector, while also expressing confidence in the supply side of the world's second largest economy.

"I think these recent consumption-related activities are important, but the problem is they take time and it's also a matter of trust. The saving rate is, I think, 50 percent in China, so it's very high, but I think still the supply side of China is very impressive. You look at recent developments in AI and the dynamism also in the car industry. I think the country, if it manages this trust and confidence issue well, then I think there's quite a lot of fundamentals in China. Given that the situation stays stable, which I think it will, this country is going to make a major contribution [to global growth]," he said.

The chairman also pointed out that Europe is becoming increasingly aware of the need to rethink its foreign policy amid a shifting global landscape.

"China is a world leader and a big economy. So I think one of the things which I alluded to earlier is that as the world is changing and as maybe Europe is realizing that alliances are being redefined to some extent, I think that Europe should also be ready and open up towards (this). There's a debate in Europe where we need to basically build relationships with the rest of the world, also the Global South," he shared.

Roller said a level playing field is needed for both sides to expand their economic cooperation in a multipolar world.

"I think now it's being reassessed for the developments which are taking place. But I think that a more constructive relationship, a multipolar world is something we should move towards. And economic relationship, [if we] look at trade or investment over many many years, has been very strong. From a European point of view. I think China could be very well a partner where we could work together more on some of this development, some of these technologies, assuming that the level playing field is there," he said.

German economist on China's consumption sector, EU-China economic partnership