13 Jul What China’s “Lying-Flat” Trend Means For Luxury Brands

COVID-19 accelerated the shift of some customer lifestyles, leading them to favor simpler and nature-connected lives while challenging the economic and societal principles of modern society in the process.

In China, this phenomenon has impacted the new generations as well, and is implying changes to a country known for the  most growth over the past decades, thanks primarily to its fast-paced rhythm, highly competitive environment, and extensive workforce.

The pressure linked to modern lifestyles in big Chinese cities has become overwhelming, with “996” becoming a keyword that describes the grueling Chinese work model (nine am to nine pm, six days a week), especially inside local tech companies. In fact, sleep difficulties have become a national health concern among the post-80s and 90s generations.

But today, Chinese urbanites have started questioning whether this hard work is worth it. A new consciousness has emerged denouncing “Neijuan 内卷” — a concept that literally means “inward curling” — which points out that the country’s intense domestic competition does not necessarily result in large-scale economic growth or high productivity. This topic has generated over 50 million discussions on the Douban app thus far.

As such, young Chinese consumers are shifting toward a slower life as a rebellious reaction against the societal pressure they face. Online, the “Lie Flat 躺平” movement describes the mindset of Chinese youth fed up with fast-paced urban life and meaningless competition. Their personal choices reject society’s expectations: They prefer not to get married or have children, don’t want to buy a house, and refuse to overwork themselves — or hold a job at all in some cases.

Aspects of this “Sang Culture 丧文化” — another expression that describes the status of being a bit down, feeling melancholy, or praising a slower lifestyle — have turned many of this generation toward new zen hobbies.

More Chinese youth are choosing to adopt a slower lifestyle. Photo: Streetsnap in Shanghai

For example, gardening, raising fish, or chilling in the park (“Guang Gong Yuan逛公园”) are traditional hobbies that used to be exclusive to elderly generations but are now becoming trendy activities for China’s youth.

On Little Red Book, the hashtag “gardening” has collected more than 90K notes. “Plants are so simple. When you have time, you should look at flowers more and fill your heart with the simple joy, and it will make you calmer when facing the busy daily life.” said the Douban user @怪树里.

Meanwhile, the tea culture revival has also been strong, with the hashtag #teahouse gaining more than 100K notes on Red. With a minimalist style redesign, the modern Chinese tea house caters to the younger generations by providing a peaceful yet trendy place to reconnect to traditional zen culture. Some of these young people even have dedicated spaces where customers can rent a “Hanfu 汉服” — an ancient Chinese clothing style — so they can be more immersed in this ambiance.

Zen hobbies like gardening and visiting tea houses have seen a revival. Photo: @NOWNESS official WeChat account, Little Red Book

How brands should connect to this lifestyle slowdown: 

1. Offer natural and peaceful urban escapes 

To keep up with this new life trend, brands must shift their communication strategies toward a more authentic and natural approach. They must convey messages like urban escapes, caring for nature, and spiritual exploration to the customers.

For example, Chinese domestic fashion brand JNBY recently did a series of pop-up exhibitions across China. The exhibition space was decorated with various tropical plants combined with concrete architectural forms. The show explored the concepts of “symbiosis, and the relationships between urban life, nature, and the universe,” perfectly resonating with the young consumer mindset.

JNBY SS21 Symbiosis pop-up exhibition. Photo: @Wallpaper official WeChat account

Prada also linked up with this trend by promoting its outdoor collection inside its Rong Zhai Villa in Shanghai, turning it into an outdoor camping destination. The initiative featured attractive workshops that provided unique opportunities for guests to explore gardening, horticulture, camping, and more.

2. Encourage more real-life social interactions & DIY workshops

In the new post-COVID-19 normalcy, young people are still eager for real-life connections. Social events emphasizing personal interactions could attract experience-seekers looking for refreshing and relaxing things to do.

Those events usually focus on the arts, crafts, music, and outdoor themes. Last month, the niche lifestyle brand ME Ft. WE collaborated with the skincare label Uniskin and 33 other brands on an offline event in Shanghai. In all, it offered a collective experience by combining sensory explorations, a live performance, D-I-Y tea making, skincare sessions, and unplugged live concerts.

3. Contribute to the revival of the traditional lifestyle in a contemporary way 

In response to China’s “lie-flat” trend and its continuing China pride, brands need to rethink the concept of their physical stores by combining a Western mentality with traditional Chinese leisure activities.

To recruit new customers, local brands must create immersive, convenient, and integrated shopping experiences that connect to this trend. In Chengdu, a city favored by young Chinese fashionistas and known for its tea culture, retailers such as @Dressingforfun have recently reinvented the tradition. Located on a quiet street and hidden by traditional Chinese plants, the shop provides a multi-brand shopping experience but also boasts a café area that is beautifully decorated to look like a traditional Chinese garden.

DressingForFun’s concept shop in Chengdu. Photo: Little Red Book