With the launch of offline flagship stores, the empowerment of artificial intelligence and rapid industrial growth, cool and affordable tech products are becoming popular choices during the Spring Festival consumption wave, as emerging brands vie for deeper integration into people’s daily lives.
Driven by a high-profile promotion event recently initiated by Guangdong province, Huaqiangbei, a Shenzhen-based manufacturing and retail hub for China’s electronic information industry, experienced a sales increase of about 30 percent above normal in tech products, with customer traffic rising by over 10 percent.
Hu Huawu, deputy director of the economic development office of Huaqiangbei subdistrict, said that based on the latest sales performance before this year’s Spring Festival, consumer interest has shifted from traditional electronic products like mobile phones, computers, and speakers to AI-integrated products such as toys, health-monitoring devices, and smart wearables.
Interactive AI plush toys, AI glasses, and drones have become popular items, meeting consumers' needs for both personal use and giving as gifts. In addition to conventional tech products, Huaqiangbei's unique offerings in customized hardware have also gained popularity among tourists.
Attracting an average daily foot traffic of 750,000, including 7,000 visits from foreign customers, the electronic market is striving to transform into an integrated commercial district. Although major electronics shopping malls will close for about a week during the Spring Festival, many retailers will set up stalls on the pedestrian street to serve consumers and enhance festive atmosphere, Hu said.
To enhance the area's shopping environment, the subdistrict plans to collaborate with market operators to establish designated spaces for customers to experience products, and launch intelligent shopping guidance systems in the near future, he added.
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Also located in Shenzhen, the world's first robot 6S store is welcoming its inaugural Spring Festival since opening in mid-2025. Store Manager Lin Feng said that since February, both the rental and sales of robots have been thriving, particularly for small robots and functional robots. Meanwhile, the business related to tech-themed study tours has also seen growth.
Yet the sales of humanoid robots have not been very satisfying, as the technology is still developing and application scenarios are limited. Looking forward to improvements in this area, he expressed hope that government consumption subsidies can cover robotics in the future, providing greater incentives for people to explore these emerging products.
To add a touch of technology to the traditional festival for gathering, 3D printing is also a good option, as the technology can now be used to craft red envelopes, Spring Festival couplets, phone cases, and even mahjong tiles.
According to Bambu Lab, a leading player in the sector based in Shenzhen, its consumer-level 3D printers have been chosen by many companies as prizes for their year-end gatherings.
During a recent charity event organized by e-commerce giant JD to deliver Spring Festival gifts to villagers, 3D printers were also deployed as teaching tools in an innovative “AI classroom” to spark rural children's interest in technology education.
Following Bambu Lab’s establishment of a flagship store in Shenzhen in the latter half of last year, 3D printers—previously primarily exported overseas—have grabbed significant attention in the domestic market.
With a price as low as less than 1,000 yuan ($145), and featuring increasingly diverse range of models, 3D printers hold great appeal to consumers seeking novel tech experience, a company public-relations manager said.
He added that 3D printing has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors in China's manufacturing landscape in recent years, with demand for his company's products consistently outstripping supply.
The firm hopes to leverage the nationwide consumption boom during the Spring Festival to reach a wider client base, helping them understand what 3D printing is and its potential applications, the manager said.
