In 2024, total confectionery packaging retail volumes in China reached 31 billion units, marking a 3% increase. Growth was driven by rising consumer demand for indulgent and premium treats, particularly during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, when gifting confectionery holds significant cultural value. The introduction of new flavours and healthier options, including reduced sugar and organic confectionery, helped attract a broader consumer base. Major brands, in

In 2024, China's total dairy packaging retail volumes declined by 4% to 111 billion units. Weaker demand for dairy products, driven by China's slower economic growth and cautious consumer spending, was the primary factor behind this decrease. Concurrently, local milk production was reduced due to oversupply and declining margins, resulting in fewer packs being filled. Despite remaining the world's largest dairy market, these factors collectively contributed to the decline in packaging volumes. C

Total baby food packaging retail volumes in China declined by 1% in 2024, to 2.8 billion units, maintaining the declining trend seen over the previous two years. Nevertheless, this was after a period of growth, and packaging volumes in 2024 remained similar to those seen at the beginning of the review period in 2019, despite a strong decline in the population aged 0-36 months over that period. This trend indicates sustained demand for packaged baby food, driven by evolving consumer preferences a

In 2024, total processed fruit and vegetables packaging retail volumes in China reached 1.2 billion units, marking a 1% increase. This growth was driven by rising consumer demand for convenient and healthier food options, including ready-to-eat fruits, canned vegetables, and pre-cut mixes. Shelf stable fruit dominated processed fruit and vegetables packaging in China in 2024. Advancements in processing methods, such as high-pressure processing and freeze-drying, helped maintain the freshness and

In 2024, total processed meat and seafood packaging retail volumes in China rose by 1% to 35 billion units, driven by the increasing demand for convenient, protein-rich options that align with shifting consumer lifestyles. Urbanisation, busy work schedules, and a rise in dual-income households fuelled a greater reliance on ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat meat products, underpinning this growth. This trend was further bolstered by the expansion of the cold chain infrastructure and the wider availa

In 2024, total sweet spreads packaging retail volumes in China experienced a decline of 3%, reaching 522 million units. This downturn was primarily attributed to a general lack of consumer spending confidence, coupled with a growing emphasis on health, fitness, and weight management, which led consumers to be more cautious about their sugar intake. Although nut and seed-based spreads saw a notable increase in packaging volumes, and chocolate spreads experienced minor growth, these gains were ins

Total plant-based dairy packaging retail volumes in China declined by 2% to 12 billion units in 2024. This downturn was primarily attributed to the slower adoption rate among consumers, as well as intensified competition within plant-based dairy. Although plant-based alternatives continue to appeal to health-conscious and environmentally-aware consumers, price sensitivity and the limited product variety hindered faster growth. Furthermore, production challenges and a decrease in new product laun

In 2024, total packaging retail volumes for sauces, dips and condiments in China rose by 4% to 19 billion units, driven by several key trends. Demand for convenient, ready-to-use products experienced strong growth, particularly in urban areas, which fuelled the popularity of flexible packaging formats such as plastic pouches and HDPE bottles, which are user-friendly, portable, and resealable. Furthermore, the rapid expansion of sales via retail e-commerce and convenience stores maintained growth

In China, total retail volumes of meals and soups packaging decreased by 1% to 7.9 billion units in 2024. Consumer preference shifted towards fresher and healthier food options both within and outside the category. Consumers increasingly prioritised good nutrition, natural ingredients, and home-made meals over traditional packaged products, which are often perceived as less healthy or overly processed. As health consciousness grew, many consumers reduced their consumption of dried and shelf stab

In 2024, China was ranked sixth in terms of average gross income among Asia Pacific countries, with a 5.1% real increase in per capita disposable income, driven by increasing labour productivity and a lower unemployment rate. However, income inequality remains significant, with the top 10% of households holding 32.2% of total disposable income.

Sustainability awareness is strong among Chinese consumers, with nearly 60% worried about climate change and taking action to make an impact such as reducing their food waste and plastic use. Over a third of consumers in the country are categorised as naturalists, and as concerns rise surrounding artificial ingredients, chemicals, and ultra-processed foods, natural and organic lead claims across several industries, both human- and pet-related. The biggest industry, beauty and personal care, has

In 2025, retail volume sales of mobile phones in China increased by 4% to 290 million units, a trend primarily driven by robust growth for smartphones. However, sales of feature phones continued to decline. This was particularly as the older population increasingly adopted smartphones to keep pace with digital lifestyle requirements, such as health code scanning, mobile payments, and video calls with family members. China, as a pioneer in digitalisation, accelerated this shift during the pandemi

In 2025, in-car entertainment in China experienced a notable retail volume decline, driven by the continuous enhancement of smartphone and tablet functionalities. Consumers increasingly favoured personal mobile devices for entertainment, which offered a broader range of options and greater flexibility compared to traditional in-car systems. With 90% smartphone penetration in China in 2025 according to Euromonitor International, this significantly reduces the reliance on built-in car entertainmen

In 2025, retail volume sales of home audio and cinema in China fell by 3% to 6.3 million units. This decline was primarily due to the continuous enhancement of audio capabilities in smartphones, tablets, and laptops, which led an increasing number of consumers to prefer these portable devices for music and video entertainment. Traditional home audio and cinema systems lacked significant innovations, making it difficult to stimulate consumer interest in upgrading. Additionally, the market was sat

In 2025, retail volume sales of consumer electronics in China continued to rise, driven by significant factors that reshaped consumer behaviour and market dynamics. As income levels increased and lifestyles evolved, consumer demand for consumer electronics became more diverse and sophisticated. Chinese consumers were no longer solely focused on basic functionality; instead, they placed a greater emphasis on intelligence, convenience, innovation, and brand value. This demand for consumption upgra

In 2025, retail volume sales of computers and peripherals in China grew by 2% to reach 52 million units. This modest yet significant growth was primarily driven by a series of government stimulus measures, which included trade-in programmes for consumer goods, and subsidies for digital products. These initiatives encouraged both households and businesses to upgrade their existing equipment, enhancing overall demand for new and improved technology. The economic policies in place also played a cru

In 2025, retail volume sales of portable players in China experienced a significant decline, falling by 16% to 20 million units. Although all categories saw declining sales, this reduction was mainly attributed to the largest category, wireless speakers. Smart speakers in particular faced substantial criticism for their weak voice interaction capabilities and limited AI utility. Many devices struggled with multi-step commands and complex queries, leading to user frustration and reducing their pr

In 2025, home video retail volume sales in China fell by 1% to 32 million units due to the sluggish real estate market, cautious consumers, and changing habits. However, the decline was insignificant, mitigated by several key factors. The State Council’s trade-in policy, aimed at eliminating CRT and LED televisions that did not meet energy efficiency standards, played a significant role. AVC Cloud Network data show sales of low-end models with a screen size of 35 inches or below decreased by ove

In 2025, retail volume sales of imaging devices in China fell by 4% to 1.9 million units. This decline was primarily attributed to rapid advancements in smartphone camera technology, which effectively meet the daily photographic needs of most consumers. Features such as multi-camera systems, high-resolution sensors, night mode, AI beauty enhancements, and advanced image-processing algorithms have brought smartphone cameras close to, and in some instances have even surpassed, the capabilities of

In 2025, retail volume sales of wearable electronics in China increased by 20%, reaching 69 million units. This significant growth can be attributed to several key drivers. Heightened public health awareness and the explosion of post-pandemic health anxiety led consumers to prioritise chronic disease prevention and daily health management. Basic health monitoring features such as heart rate and blood oxygen tracking became considered essential, making wearable electronics a staple in daily life.

In 2025, retail volume sales of wireless headphones in China saw an 11% increase to 132 million units, driven by significant technological advancements, diversified consumer demand, and a comprehensive price coverage strategy. Key technological improvements towards the end of the review period, such as enhanced audio quality, advanced noise cancellation, and integrated smart features, encouraged consumer upgrades. For example, Sony launched the ULT WEAR, a model designed with deep-bass optimisat

Value sales of cheese are falling slightly in China in 2025, representing a recovery as the decline has slowed significantly compared to 2023 and 2024. The recovery of processed cheese is key to the performance of the overall category. In the past, the vast majority of products in processed cheese were cheese sticks aimed at children, but with the gradual popularity of cheese snacks for adults, products like cheese cubes are becoming the new driving force for development.

2025 is seeing overall drinking milk products decline in China in 2025, with the drop driven by shelf stable milk. This is mainly due to China’s continued macroeconomic softness in 2025, which has led to more cautious consumer sentiment. Additionally, an oversupply of raw milk in the domestic market has driven down the price of fresh milk, prompting some consumers to switch from shelf stable milk to fresh milk.

Value sales of baby food are falling slightly in China in 2025, reflecting persistent structural headwinds primarily, the continued decline in national birth rates. However, compared to 2024’s steeper drop, the deceleration in decline suggests a milder bottoming-out trend.