McKinsey Survey: Chinese consumer sentiment during the coronavirus crisis

McKinsey & Company 1
Five emerging consumer themes in October 2021
1 2 5
4
3
Optimism peaks as
spend recovers
Optimism climbs to a
new high as more than
80% of consumers
report their routines are
back to normal
Net intended consumer
spend is flat to growing
across most categories
Digital gains
traction
Stores remain a primary
channel, but consumers
report high use of
omnichannel in a few
surprising categories
(e.g., grocery)
Consumers who have
used alternatives to in-
store shopping report
more frequent usage in
the past three months
Holiday shopping
started as usual
64% of consumers
report they are excited
for the holidays, with
many planning to
maintain last year’s
spending level on gifts
Consumers most often
plan to shop in stores
(58%) but also online
via retailer (51%) and
brand (47%) websites
Modified return to
out-of-home
More than 80% of
consumers indicate
they are already
engaging in many
“normal” out-of-home
activities—70% of them
with modified behavior
Travel and crowded
entertainment events
are seeing the lowest
engagement (<50%)
Loyalty shake-up
continues
Roughly half of
consumers report they
will switch product,
brand, or retailer when
faced with shortages
Almost 90% of
consumers have tried
new shopping
behaviors in the past
three months

Confidence in own country’s economic recovery after COVID-191
% of respondents
15 14 13 17 17 22 21
32 22
41
49 52
50 50
46
65
67
74
44
37 35 33 33 32
14
1 5
Mixed The economy will be
impacted for 6–12 months or
longer and will stagnate or show
slow growth thereafter
Pessimistic: COVID-19 will
have lasting impact on the
economy and show regression
or fall into lengthy recession
Optimistic: The economy will
rebound within 2–3 months and
grow just as strong as or
stronger than before COVID-19
Consumers in China report high levels of optimism about their
country’s economic recovery
1. Q: What is your overall confidence level surrounding economic conditions after the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis subsides (ie, once there is herd immunity)? Rated from 1 “very optimistic” to 6 “very pessimistic.” Bars may not sum to
100% due to rounding.
Optimism peaks as spend recovers | Current as of October 2021
US Germany
10/15–22
UK
10/15–22
10/9–15
Italy
10/15–22
France
10/15–22
Change in % optimistic vs
Feb survey, percentage points
3 3
13 14
18
Spain
10/15–22
16
India
10/18–25
3
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 Consumer Pulse Survey
China
10/17–22
6 2
Japan
10/18–20

Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1187; 2/20–3/8/2021, n = 1,128; 12/11–12/15/2020, n = 1,199; 9/16–9/24/2020, n = 1,123; 6/15–6/21/2020, n =
1,249; 5/19–5/25/2020, n = 1,285; 5/5–5/11/2020, n = 1,257; 4/15–4/19/2020, n = 1,220; 4/8–4/13/2020, n = 1,216; 4/1–4/6/2020, n = 1,896; 3/25–3/30/2020, n = 1,048; 3/20–2/23/2020, n = 1,225; 2/21–
2/24/2020, n = 1,249, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s general population 18–65 years old
5% 3% 5% 5% 4%
56 47
43 40 43
38 36 37
32
43
48
54 55 52
58 61 61
67
Apr 20202
Mar 20202
Feb 2020
1%
Sept 2020 Oct 2021
Feb 2021
Dec 2020
June 2020
May 20202
2% 1%
3%
Mixed: The economy will
be impacted for 6–12
months or longer and will
stagnate or show slow
growth thereafter
Pessimistic: COVID-19
will have lasting impact
on the economy and
show regression/fall into
lengthy recession
Optimistic: The economy
will rebound within 2–3
months and grow just as
strong as or stronger than
before COVID-19
Nearly seven in ten consumers in China report an optimistic view of
recovery—the highest level since the start of COVID-19
Confidence in own country’s economic recovery after COVID-19,1 % of respondents
1. Q: What is your overall confidence level surrounding economic conditions after the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis subsides (ie, once there is herd immunity)? Rated from 1 “very optimistic” to 6 “very pessimistic.” Figures may not sum to
100% because of rounding.
2. Average of weekly pulse surveys shown for Mar–May 2020.

Medium- and high-income consumers report greater optimism
since February 2021
39
64
57
55
59
55
63 70
58
61
83
70
20
0
10
50
30
40
60
80
90
Sept 2020 Dec 2020 Feb 2021 Oct 2021
58
Low (<14k renminbi) Medium (14k–30k renminbi) High (>30k renminbi)
52
43 45
40
44
28
37
16
60
30
90
10
0
70
20
50
40
80
Sept 2020
35
40
36
Dec 2020
38
Feb 2021 Oct 2021
1. Q: What is your overall confidence level surrounding economic conditions after the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis subsides (ie, once there is herd immunity)? Rated from 1 “very optimistic” to 6 “very pessimistic.”
Optimism by income Pessimism by income
Confidence in own country’s economic recovery after
COVID-19 by income level,1 % of respondents
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187; 2/20–3/8/2021, n = 1,128; 12/11–12/15/2020, n= 1,199; 9/16–9/24/2020, n = 1,123; 6/15–6/21/2020,
n = 1,249; 5/19–5/25/2020, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s general population 18–65 years old

Relatively stable levels of optimism seen across age groups;
vaccinated consumers indicate more optimism than unvaccinated
Confidence in own country’s economic recovery after COVID-191
% of respondents
50
31
50
68
1
Vaccinated
0
Unvaccinated
1. Q: What is your overall confidence level surrounding economic conditions after the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis subsides (ie, once there is herd immunity)? Rated from 1 “very optimistic” to 6 “very pessimistic.”
2. Baby boomers includes silent generation.
36
28
33
70
63
71
65
Gen X
29
1
Gen Z Millennials Baby boomers2
2
1 1
Optimistic Mixed Pessimistic
By generation By vaccination status
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s general population 18–65 years old

81
87 87
68
9
10 9
7
10
3 4
25
Millennials Gen X
Gen Z Baby boomers3
83 81
9
8
8 11
Vaccinated Unvaccinated
83
9
8
Overall
1. Q: When do you expect your routines will return to normal? Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
2. Q: Which best describes your vaccination status?
In or after 2022 In 2021 Not affected/already returned
By generation By vaccination status2
Vaccinated and
unvaccinated
consumers
report similar
expectations for
when routines
will return to
normal
Overall, more than 90 percent of consumers indicate their routines
will be back to normal in 2021; older consumers are at 75 percent
Expectations for routines returning to normal,1 % of respondents

The impact of COVID-19 on household finances appears to be
stabilizing since February 2021
Reduced slightly/a lot About the same Increased slightly/a lot
Past 2 weeks
69
11
60
19
11
28
Past 2 weeks
26
63
11
Past 2 weeks
9
62
19
21
29
61
Past 2 weeks Past 2 weeks
26
66
8
Past 2 weeks
59
27
10
Past 2 weeks
63
Past 2 weeks
18
23 22
19
59
Past 2 weeks
1. Q: How has the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis affected the following over the past 2 weeks? Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
Household income Household spending Household savings
Dec 2020 Feb 2021 Oct 2021
Dec 2020 Feb 2021 Oct 2021
Dec 2020 Feb 2021 Oct 2021
COVID-19 impact on household finances,1 % of respondents
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187; 2/20–3/8/2021, n = 1,128; 12/11–12/15/2020, n = 1,199, including Hubei province, sampled and
weighted to match China’s general population 18–65 years old

Overall, 81 percent of consumers in China report their finances are
back to normal or were not affected
82 83 81
76
8 6 8
5
10 11 11
19
Baby boomers3
Gen Z Millennials Gen X
82
69
7
7
11
24
In or after 2022 In 2021 Not affected/already returned
81
7
12
Overall
1. Q: When do you expect your personal/household finances will return to normal? Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
2. Q: Which best describes your vaccination status?
By generation By vaccination status2
Baby boomers and
the unvaccinated
are slightly more
likely than others
to be pessimistic:
19% and 24%,
respectively,
predict their
finances will return
to normal in 2022
or later
Expectations for personal/household finances
returning to normal,1 % of respondents

Consumers’ plans to splurge remain consistent with early 2021,
with about 50 percent reporting they plan to treat themselves
1. Q: With regard to products and services you will spend money on, do you plan to splurge/treat yourself in 2021? For example, are there categories of products or services you have spent less on over the last year and a half which you feel
you will spend more on now?
3. Small sample size (n < 25).
Plan on
splurging
49
48
Do not plan
on splurging
Oct 2021
52
Feb 2021
51
Millennials
Gen X
Baby boomers2
47%
N/A
60%
15
Gen Z 100%3
N/A
56%
N/A
51%
11
35%
−23
45%
N/A
62%
19
50%
0
42%
N/A
42%
12
41%
11
Generation
Respondents who plan/do not plan to
splurge/treat themselves in 20211
% of respondents
Low (<14k
renminbi)
Medium (14k–30k
renminbi)
High
(>30k renminbi)
>70%
<30% 50–70%
30–50% p.p. change from Feb 21
XX
Respondents who plan to splurge, by household income, %
Change < −10 pp
.
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187; 2/20–3/8/2021, n = 1,128, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s general
population 18–65 years old

Among consumers intending to splurge, top spend categories are
fashion and out-of-home activities, such as travel and restaurants
Categories where consumers intend to treat themselves1
% of all respondents with intent to splurge
1. Q: You mentioned that you plan to splurge/treat yourself in next 6 months. Which categories do you intend to treat yourself to? Please select all that apply.
37
35
31
29
28
27
24
24
23
20
20
19
19
Electronics
Restaurants, dining out, bars
Apparel, shoes, accessories
Out-of-home entertainment
Travel, lodging, and vacation
Fitness, sports, and outdoors
Personal services
Household essentials
Items for your home
Pets
Makeup, skin-care products
Sports apparel and equipment
Outdoor living
Millennials Gen X
Gen Z
Baby
boomers2
41 41 35 28
26 37 38 35
23 33 38 26
24 33 31 23
24 30 23 33
27 31 25 19
16 29 28 19
32 19 24 25
20 24 24 25
Generational cut
20 19 24 20
28 17 22 16
22 17 19 20
26 12 17 29
Change from
Feb 2021,
percentage points
Between −3 and 3
< −3 >3
−3
−1
−1
−1
0
−2
−1
−15
1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Categories
Difference from all respondents,
percentage points

Consumers report mixed spending intentions across categories—
strongest for fashion, beauty, and at-home entertainment
Net intent > 1
Net intent −15 to 0
Net intent < −15
12
6
19
15
16
19
8
7
18
6
12
16
11
12
16
16
19
16
14
20
13
9
15
13
13
9
8
3
4
Footwear
Apparel
Restaurant
Sports and outdoors
Groceries
Food takeout and delivery
2
Tobacco products
Household supplies
Alcohol
3
Quick-service restaurant
Jewelry
10
Accessories
Toys and baby
5
4
Personal-care products
Skin care and makeup
3
5
Home and furniture
Home improvement, garden
Kitchen and dining
Decrease Stay the same Increase
11
7
9
12
8
7
6
11
16
12
16
21
25
28
15
17
9
24
19
13
12
16
8
15
7
13
11
9
Consumer electronics
10
3
Entertainment at home
Pet food and supplies
Pet-care services
5
Vehicles
Vitamins and OTC medicine
Books/magazines/newspapers
International flights
Out-of-home entertainment
Fitness and wellness
Personal-care services
Gasoline
5
3
Short-term home rentals
Travel by car
1
Cruises
Adventures and tours
4
Hotel/resort stays
10
Domestic flights
Net
intent2
3
15
7
5
5
10
−3
−1
−9
−3
−20
−14
−24
−6
−2
2
1. Q: Over the next 2–3 months, do you expect that you will spend more, about the same, or less money on these categories than usual? Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
2. Net intent is calculated by subtracting the % of respondents stating they expect to decrease spending from the % of respondents stating they expect to increase spending.
Expected spending per category over the next 2–3 months vs. usual1
% of respondents who bought these categories at least once since 2019
−2
0
−1
−6
−3
−5
7
−2
−1
−3
−2
−3
−1
−2
0
−3
5
1
Change since
Feb 2021
Change since
Feb 2021
−2 −1
−3
−3
−2
−4
−3
−2
−4
0
−3
0
5
0
6
−1
7
−1
−38 20
Net
intent2
2
−1
5
9
−7
−4
−7
1
0
0
8
7
3
9
10
4
0
−8

−10
10
−20
0
20
30
Mar
2020
Apr
2020
Sept
2020
May
2020
June
2020
Dec
2020
Feb
2021
Oct
2021
Expected spending per category over the next 2–3 months vs usual1
Net intent2
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187; 2/20–3/8/2021, n = 1,128; 12/11–12/15/2020, n = 1,199; 9/16–9/24/2020, n = 1,123; 6/15–6/21/2020, n =
1,249; 5/19–5/25/2020, n = 1,285; 5/5–5/11/2020, n = 1,257; 4/15–4/19/2020, n = 1,220; 4/8–4/13/2020, n = 1,216; 4/1–4/6/2020, n = 1,896; 3/25–3/30/2020, n = 1,048; 3/20–2/23/2020, n = 1,225; 2/21–
2/24/2020, n = 1,249, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s general population 18–65 years old
Spending net intent across categories is slightly below levels seen in
February 2021
Groceries
Household supplies
Fitness and wellness
Apparel
1. Q: Over the next 2–3 months, do you expect that you will spend more, about the same, or less money on these categories than usual? Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
2. Net intent is calculated by subtracting the % of respondents stating they expect to decrease spending from the % of respondents stating they expect to increase spending.

1. Q: Which best described how you have researched the following categories over the last 3 months?
2. Q: Which best describes how you have purchased the following categories over the last 3 months?
82
69
58
55
48
42
42
38
37
32
29
24
23
20
15
15
20
17
34
35
45
49
46
55
36
40
28
56
55
75
3
11
25
11
17
13
9
16
8
32
31
48
21
25
10
Fitness and wellness services
Home decoration and furniture
Sports and outdoors equipment, supplies
Vitamins, supplements, OTC medicine
Kitchen and dining
Footwear
Jewelry
Apparel
Groceries
Household supplies
Accessories
Research and purchase only in stores Omnichannel Research and purchase only online
Stores appear to be a predominant channel for several categories
but omnichannel shopping is well established in a few others
Digital gains traction | Current as of October 2021
Product searches1 and purchases2 by channel
% of respondents who purchased and searched in these categories in the last 3 months
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187; including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s general population 18–65 years old

Consumers report social-media influence across categories,
including some reach into older generations
1. Q: Think about the purchases you have made in the following categories over the past 3 months. Were you influenced towards a certain brand by a post on social media in the following categories?
3. Received no responses
36
33
32
32
31
30
27
26
25
25
20
18
16
14
13
11
Accessories
Food takeout or delivery
Kitchen and dining
Alcoholic beverages
Groceries/food for home
Apparel
Footwear
Household supplies
Vitamins, supplements, and OTC medicine
Books, magazines, newspapers
Tobacco products and smoking supplies
Toys and baby supplies
Millennials Gen X
Gen Z
Baby
boomers2
55 22 21
38 36 34 03
43 37 24 23
42 39 20 18
29 30 36 28
32 35 27 22
36 30 15 15
42 29 20 11
37 27 19 16
Generational cut
55 18 18 17
24 27 15 9
24 23 18 7
35 19 8 7
Between −3 and 3
< −3 >3
Categories
Categories where respondents were influenced by social media1
% of all respondents who purchased in these categories in the last 3 months
16
35
43
20
13
9
6
15
4
13
13
18
11
percentage points

23
83
75
3
77
9
61
13
60
20
15
65
13
53
70
10
9
22
17
70
27
9
70
12
22
69
19
13
22
7
69
27
24
22
8
67
67
11
14
18
12
21
Among consumers saying they have used alternatives to their
normal in-store shopping, most report continued or increased use
Using less Using same Using more
Used a food delivery provider
Self-checkout or scan-and-go at a physical store
Buy online, pick up in store
Curbside delivery at a store
Purchased secondhand products online
Downloaded/used deal-finding plug-ins
Downloaded/used a new store/restaurant app
Purchased directly from social media
Used an app/website for same-day delivery
Used an app/website for delivery within 2 hours
Shopped at a store I had not shopped at before for groceries
Changed my primary grocery store
Cooked regularly for myself/my family
Personal care/grooming at home
64
15
21
19
11
16
16
20
13
11
10
21
32
25
Used or did in last 3 months
% of total respondents
1. Q: And have you used or done any of the following in the last 3 months? If yes, Q: Which best describes when you have done or used each of these items?
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to
match China’s general population 18–65 years old
Frequency of participating1
% of consumers who report participating in the activity in the last 3 months

Across digital activities, more than four in ten consumers report
increased use, especially for socializing and children’s learning
7
11
11
53
29
45
6 41
7
45
4
46
48
7
49
5
33 60
48
59
8
30
42
44
50
8
57
35
49
68
27
46
5
50
6
45
43
8
6
7 52
41
48
4
64
68
71
21
7
51
25
Frequency of participating1
% of respondents who say they have participated in the activity in the last 3 months
Wellness app
Digital workout bike or machine
Online personal training/fitness
Grocery delivery
Restaurant food delivery
Meal kit delivery
Online streaming
Video conferencing for professional use
Virtual hangouts and video chats for personal use
Telemedicine for physical health care
Telemedicine for mental health care
Playing online games
Watching online games
Remote learning for myself
Remote learning for my kids
Used social media
Used TikTok
18
13
16
74
56
16
70
28
85
6
18
27
8
24
21
86
41
Used or did in last 3 months
% of total respondents
Using less Using same Using more
1. Q: And have you used or done any of the following in the last 3 months? If yes, Q: Which best describes when you have done or used each of these items?

When faced with stockouts, about one-third of consumers
substituted product, brand, or retailer to make a purchase
Loyalty shake-up continues | Current as of October 2021
1. Q: Over the last 3 months, have you wanted to buy something and not been able to purchase it because it was out of stock or otherwise not available?
2. Q: The most recent time this happened (when you wanted to buy something and it was not available), what did you do?
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s general population 18–65 years old
39
61
Oct 2021
Could not purchase
at least 1 item
Able to purchase
all items
Respondents who planned to purchase
something but could not, due to unavailability1
% of respondents
19
21
11
14
35
Bought the product
at a different retailer
Bought a different brand or similar
product at a different retailer
Waited until product was available
at the same retailer
Bought a different product
at the same retailer
Did not buy anything
Consumer responses to stockouts2
% of respondents who could not make a planned purchase

87
36
35
26
26
25
Different brand
Different retailer/store/website
Any new shopping behavior
New shopping method
New digital shopping method
New shopping method3
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s general population 18–65
years old
Gen Z Millennials
86 88
32 39
29 38
27 27
19 28
25 26
Generational cut
All consumers
Between −3 and 3
< −3 >3
1. Q: Over the past 3 months, which of the following have you done? 34% replied “None of these.”
3. “New shopping method” includes curbside pickup and delivery apps.
Behaviors in past 3 months1
% of respondents
Almost 90 percent of consumers say they have tried out a new
shopping behavior in the past three months
percentage points
Gen X Baby boomers2
82 96
33 39
30 41
26 23
25 29
21 32

Reason for trying a new brand since COVID-19 began1
% of respondents who tried a new brand since COVID-19 began
1. Q: You mentioned you tried a new/different brand than what you normally buy. What were the main reasons that drove this decision? Select up to 3 relevant reasons. “Brand” includes different brand, new
private label/store brand. Overarching reason based on % of individual respondents responding to at least 1 reason in the group.
Better prices, promotions
Better value
Supporting local businesses
Is more sustainable/better for the environment
11
Better shipping/delivery cost
Larger package sizes
The company treats its employees well
2
Shares my values
5
6
Wanted variety/a change from my normal routine
Wanted to treat myself
Better quality
2
Is natural/organic
Cleaner/has better hygiene measures
15
Products are in stock
Wanted to try a new product
Wanted to try a new brand I found
Is available where I’m shopping
27
23
17
25
23
9
29
21
23
24
17
Health/hygiene
Availability
Personal choice
Quality/organic
Novelty
Convenience
Purpose-driven 49
Value 51
43
39
24
8
5
17
Baby
boomers2
Gen Z and
millennials Gen X
28 31
24
26 16
23
18 15
15
3 2
1
26 18
27
14 15
15
12 11
9
8 16
4
32 20
29
22 15
25
23 21
23
23 21
23
28 26
15
18 7
23
4 13
5
3 3
1
3 10
6
All consumers
Between −3 and 3
< −3 >3
Consumers in China point to value and purpose-driven
considerations as primary drivers of brand switching
x Net % of respondents per category
percentage points

Modified return to out-of-home | Current as of October 2021
84
66
85
81
41
Feb 2021
Oct 2021
Dec 2020
Sept 2020
June 2021
Overall
84
77
87
83
Gen Z Millennials Gen X Baby boomers3
80
88
High (>30k
renminbi)
Low (<14k
renminbi)
83
83
Medium (14k–
30k renminbi)
94
1. Q: Which best describes when you will regularly return to stores, restaurants, and other out-of-home activities? Chart shows those already participating in these activities.
2. Gen Z are people under 25 years old, millennials are 25–44 years old, Gen X are 45–54 years old, and baby boomers are 55 years old and above.
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187; 2/20–3/8/2021, n = 1,128; 12/11–12/15/2020, n = 1,199; 9/16–9/24/2020, n = 1,123; 6/15–6/21/2020,
n = 1,249, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s general population 18–65 years old
By
generation2
By
vaccination
adoption
By income
88%
of baby boomers are
doing out-of-home
activities
94%
of higher-income
households are doing
out-of-home activities
84%
of people who are
unvaccinated are doing
out-of-home activities
Consumers engaging in ‘normal’ out-of-home activities,1 % of respondents
Over 80 percent of consumers are engaging in ‘normal’ out-of-home
activities, including 94 percent of higher-income households

Out-of-home activities done in the past 2 weeks1
% of respondents who engaged in the activity at least once prior to COVID-19
1. Q: Did you leave your house for the following activities over the past 2 weeks?
Social
Personal
care
Entertain-
ment 73
70
55
33
46
51
41
70
74
Visit a crowded outdoor public place
Go to a hair or nail salon
Go to the gym or fitness studio
Attend an indoor cultural event
Dine indoors at a restaurant or bar
Go out for family entertainment
Attend an outdoor event
Get together with family
Get together with friends
99
96
87
74
38
95
87
28
25
26
24
Travel more than 2 hours by car
Rent a short-term home
Work outside my home
Shop for groceries/necessities
Use a ride-sharing service
Shop for non-necessities
Travel by train
Travel by airplane
Go to a shopping mall
Use public transportation
Stay in a hotel
Work
Shopping
Transport/
travel
≥50%
<50%
Most consumers are returning to work, grocery shopping, and
public transport; majorities are trying other out-of-home activities

1. Q: With the rise of the Delta variant of COVID-19, how, if at all, has your out-of-home behavior changed?
14
22
35
61
61
57
24
16
7
1
Low (<14k
renminbi)
Medium (14k–
30k renminbi)
1
High (>30k
renminbi)
1
20
28
61
58
18
11
1
Vaccinated
3
Unvaccinated
20
61
18
1
Overall
Engage with
adjusted behavior
Engage less
Engage same as
before Delta
Engage more
By income By vaccination status
High-income
consumers are
likelier than other
segments to
report engaging in
out-of-home
activities the
same as or more
than before the
spread of the
Delta variant
Adjustments to out-of-home behavior due to prevalence of Delta variant,1 % of respondents
Roughly 80 percent of consumers have changed the way they
engage in out-of-home activities because of the Delta variant

1. Q: Which best describes how you are engaging in each of these activities? Possible answers: “Not doing this at all”; “Doing this in the same way as pre-COVID-19, but less often”; “Doing this in a modified way vs. pre-COVID-19”;
“Doing this just as much and in the same way as I did pre-COVID-19.”
Work
Shopping
Transport/
travel
Social
Personal
care
Entertain-
ment
84
78
16
Visit a crowded outdoor public place
22
20
Dine indoors at a restaurant or bar
83
22
Go out for family entertainment
Attend an indoor cultural event 80
21
79
Attend an outdoor event
78
22
78
Go to a hair or nail salon
17
Go to the gym or fitness studio
25
75
Get together with family
20
80
Get together with friends
79
Use a ride-sharing service
Travel by airplane
18
Shop for non-necessities
84
Stay in a hotel
16
26
Work outside my home
21
Shop for groceries/necessities
74
14
86
78
Go to a shopping mall
20
80
Travel more than 2 hours by car
82
Use public transportation
78
19
81
22
82
20
80
Travel by train
22
18
Rent a short-term home
Doing less, doing in a modified way
Doing as much as and in the same way as pre-COVID-19
The share of consumers who have modified their out-of-home
behavior ranges from 74 to 86 percent, depending on the activity
Engagement in out-of-home activities,1 % of respondents

Main life events done in the last 12 months as a result of COVID,1 % of respondents
Change >3 pp
49
11
17
12
9
15
5
5
5
4
Got a new pet at home (eg, dog, cat)
Worked more from home
Set up a specific work-from-home space
Decided to change jobs
Started homeschooling children3
Set up a gym at home
Renovated/remodeled my home
Moved into a bigger home
Sold a property
Moved into a smaller home
Bought a property
0
Work/study
change
Oct 2021
Pet adoption
House move
Home
renovation
Investments/
divestments
Total2
Change from
Feb 2021,
percentage points
0
2
4
0
1
3
2
1
−8
2
0
15
56
10
31
9
1. Q: Which of the following have you done in the last 12 months as a result of the COVID-19 crisis?
2. Total percentage of people who choose option(s) in the category.
3. Received 0 answers.
Though less consumers report working from home since February,
investing in home environments continues during COVID-19

Two-thirds of consumers are excited about the 2021 holiday
shopping season; higher-income consumers are excited most often
Holiday shopping started as usual | Current as of October 2021
18 22 22 21
13
15 16 13
68 63 62 65
Baby
boomers2
Gen X
Gen Z Millennials
1. Q: Which best describes your general attitude toward the holiday shopping season? Selected from "Anxious," "Stressed," "Neutral," "Eager,“ "Excited," and "Other."
21
15
64
Overall
Excited/
eager
Neutral
Stressed/
anxious
Consumer attitudes toward the 2021 holiday shopping season1
% of respondents
By annual income By generation
30
19
13
16
14
12
54
67
75
Low (<14k
renminbi)
Medium (14k–
30k renminbi)
High (>30k
renminbi)

Many consumers are planning to spend more on travel this year
than in 2020
Gifts (for myself
and others)
35
26
45
Redecorate my
home, put out
seasonal items
20
5
38
Personal travel Out-of-
home eating
44
18
Family travel
17
70
79
4
24
6
66
8
45
Large household
appliances
50
1. Q: If you compare the upcoming holidays [2021] with the ones last year, how much do you plan to change your spending level in the following categories?
Will spend more Will spend about the same Will spend less
2021 holiday spending plans vs spending in 20201
% of respondents who spent on the category during the holidays in 2020
While travel dominates
spending intentions,
26% say they intend to
spend more on
decorating than last
year, and 24% intend to
spend more on gifts

Across ages, consumers intend to combine store and online
browsing for holiday purchases
58
51
47
46
42
27
25
11
4
Browsing in pop-up stores
Browsing in stores
Brand websites
Advertisements on TV or streaming media
Retailer websites
Offline advertisements2
Browsing through holiday markets
Social media
Emails from relevant retailers
Generational cut
Gen Z
59
39
Millennials
69
38
Gen X
51
46
Baby
boomers3
42
2 3 8 3
30 23 26 23
19 26 32
59 50 50 46
32
48
45 42 51 56
10 7 13 17
46 52 43 34
Research channels
Between −3 and 3
< −3 >3
Difference from all respondents, percentage points
1. Q: Which channels are you planning to use to get new ideas and do research for your holiday shopping? Please select top 3.
2. Offline advertisements include catalogs, fliers, magazines, and newspaper advertisements.
Consumer research plans by channel for holiday 20211
% of all respondents

Consumers expect social media to have a strong influence on holiday
purchase decisions
1. Q: How much influence do you expect social media to have on your holiday purchase decisions this season? Selected from "Significant influence," "Some influence," and "Will not influence."
2. Q: Which channels do you think will influence your holiday purchase decisions? Asked of respondents indicating social media will influence their 2021 holiday purchases.
Expected influence of social media on 2021 holiday
purchases,1 % of respondents
18
18
15
16
33
82
82
85
84
67
Overall
Gen Z
Millennials
Gen X
Baby boomers3
Will influence
Will not influence
Most influential social-media channels2
% of respondents who expect social-media influence
54
58
62
56
58
Facebook
39
37
30
24
34
YouTube
34
27
27
30
38
Instagram
60
55
31
56
44
TikTok
Top platforms by %

Consumers plan to increase travel for the holidays in 2021
1. Q: What best describes what you expect to do for the holidays this year [2021]? Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
2. Q: What best describes your holiday get-togethers last year [2020]? Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
11
33
39
17
Will travel to and attend a large get-
together with family and friends
Do not plan to travel and will limit
getting together to immediate family only
Will travel to a limited family get-together
Will not travel but will have a family/friends
get-together outside my immediate family
Split by annual income Split by generation
15 9 10
5 14 9 21 10
27 35 37 25 30 38
13 42
37 41 29 34 43 38
−17 39
22 15 13 26 18 14
−1 9
Medium
(14k–30k
renminbi)
Low
(<14k
renminbi)
High
(>30k
renminbi) Millennials Gen X
Gen Z
Baby
boomers3
Change
from 2020,2
percentage
points
Holiday plans in 20211
% of respondents
< −3 Between −3 and 3 >3

Consumers indicate they expect to attend the same number of
holiday events as they did pre-COVID-19
1. Q: About how many in-person holiday-related events do you attend in a typical year without COVID-19?
2. Q: Compared with the number of in-person events you attended pre-COVID-19, about how many in-person events do you expect to attend over the holidays this coming year [2021]?
8.7
10.8
4.9
Family gatherings
Parties with friends
Work-related gatherings
Event type
Between −1 and 1
< −1 >1
Millennials Gen X
Gen Z
Baby
boomers3
Generational cut
8.8 8.7 8.6 8.8
10.8 10.7 11.1 10.6
4.7 4.8 5.2 4.8
Difference in
number vs
pre-COVID-19
0
0
0
Holiday-related events consumers attended1 or expect to attend2 in 2021
Average number of events

1. Q: Do you plan to shop for the holidays earlier or later in 2021 compared with last year’s holiday season [2020]? Possible answers: “significantly earlier”; “slightly
earlier”; “starting at about the same time”; “slightly later”; “significantly later”; “I am not planning to do any holiday season shopping”; 1% of Chinese consumers
surveyed indicated they do not plan to shop for the holidays this year. Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
2. Income brackets: low, <14,000 renminbi; medium, 14,000–30,000 renminbi; and high, >30,000 renminbi.
4. Q: What are the primary reasons you plan to shop earlier for the holidays in 2021?
13
77
11
10
82
Medium
Low
7
20
63
17
High
Overall
10
76
14
Earlier
About the
same time
Later
Overall By income2 By generation
9
Gen Z
11
18
Gen X
77
5
16
74
Millennials
8
10
77
13
81
Baby
boomers3
Over 70 percent of consumers will start holiday shopping at about
the same time as in 2020
Main reasons for consumers
to start shopping earlier4
% of respondents who plan to shop
earlier in 2021
34%
33%
5%
48%
Holiday shopping start vs last year1
% of respondents
of Chinese consumers
are concerned about
availability
are concerned about
shipping lead time
want to do something
fun right now
are concerned about
unexpected challenges
due to COVID-19

Of the four in ten consumers who say they started shopping before
November, none report completing more than half.
39
34
23
4
In November
I already started
In December
In January
0
49
51
50–100% of my shopping
1. Q: When do you plan to start your shopping for the seasonal holidays this year? Excludes 1% of Chinese consumers who indicated they do not plan to shop for the holidays this year; Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
2. Q: How much of your holiday shopping have you done so far? Asked of respondents who indicated they had already started.
Timing of holiday shopping, 20211
% of respondents
Status of holiday shopping, 20212
% of respondents who already started

Almost 70 percent of consumers plan to shop at different retailers
this year, with most seeking better value
39
29
13
Check more things
off my list at once
More value for money
Safety
88
69
29
15
10
2
Shop more online
Shop earlier
Any change of shopping behavior
Shop at a different place
Shop more in person
Shop more at local/independent stores
1. Q: Please select all the ways you anticipate your holiday shopping might be different from last year. Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
Anticipated different holiday shopping behaviors1
% of respondents who say they will shop differently than last year
Reasons to change place to shop during holiday
season
% of respondents who say they will do holiday shopping this year

Consumers plan to shop more in person this year
29
10
2
Shop more in person
Shop more online
Shop earlier
Income cut
Baby
boomers2
Shopping behaviors
Between −3 and 3
< −3 >3
1. Q: Please select all the ways you anticipate your holiday shopping might be different compared with last year. Figures may not sum to 100% because of rounding.
Anticipated change in shopping behavior for holiday
2021,1 % of respondents Generational cut
31 33
18 30
20 9 8 3
3 2 2 2
25 30 30
17 7 5
2 2 4
Medium
(14k–30k
renminbi)
Low
(<14k
renminbi)
High
(>30k
renminbi)
Source: McKinsey & Company COVID-19 China Consumer Pulse Survey, 10/15–10/22/2021, n = 1,187, including Hubei province, sampled and weighted to match China’s
general population 18–65 years old

Availability and convenience are the top drivers of consumer
decisions about where to shop for the holidays
18
29
20
36
20
29
24
43
21
15
4
8
Supporting local businesses
Better prices, promotions
Ability to see products in person
Product availability
Ability to purchase most gifts from 1 place
Convenience
Better quality
Easy to shop across store and online
Better shipping, delivery costs
Unique items offered
Company treating its employees well
Cleaner, better hygiene measures
Generational cut
28
22 21 26
26
14 20 23
18
19 16 19
24
39 28 26
22
23 25 24
8
5 3 3
9
7 7 9
20
16 22 23
40
48 44 40
17
12 16 16
Baby
boomers2
10
23 24 20
40 36 33 37
1. Q: Please tell us what your primary considerations will be when deciding where to shop. Please select up to 3.
2. Baby boomers includes traditional or silent generation.
Between −3 and 3
< −3 >3
Primary considerations when deciding where to shop1
% of respondents
Availability
Value
Convenience
Quality
Purpose-driven
Health/hygiene
Uniqueness
50
45
x Net % of respondents per category
52
43
21
20
8

McKinsey Survey: Chinese consumer sentiment during the coronavirus crisis

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