Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that in the first half of 2026, the total retail sales of consumer goods and services grew by 2.7% year-on-year. Consumer spending improved correspondingly, with per capita consumption expenditure nationwide reaching 14,836 yuan in the first half, a nominal increase of 3.7%.

Within major retail categories such as home appliances, mobile phones, automobiles, and home renovation, the state has provided special consumer subsidies. Before making a purchase, asking "Is there a national subsidy?" has become a common phrase among Chinese consumers.

Inclusion of Smart Glasses in Subsidies

Green and smart consumption is benefiting from supportive policies.

In 2026, smart glasses were included in the national subsidy program for the first time, directly driving a doubling in the retail sales of wearable smart devices year-on-year in the first half. The post-90s and post-00s generations have become the main consumer groups, with an increasing number of young people willing to pay for "tech appeal" and aesthetic design.

Simultaneously, demand for refreshing home environments has grown. Consumers are shifting from replacing single items to renewing entire living scenarios, with increased demand for comprehensive upgrades centered around reducing household chores, hosting gatherings, and other home-based activities.

Domestic appliance brands are gaining popularity due to their advanced technologies like AI intelligence and green energy efficiency, coupled with high cost-effectiveness.

Beyond increased subsidy amounts, supporting services have been comprehensively upgraded. In Deyang, Sichuan, appliance stores offer services like free in-home measurement and on-site setup. After placing an order, products are delivered to the home with simultaneous collection of old appliances for recycling.

New Energy Vehicle Promotion in Rural Areas

Market penetration reaches a historic high.

On June 25th, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and other departments simultaneously launched the 2026 New Energy Vehicle Promotion in Rural Areas campaign in Tacheng, Xinjiang, and Chengmai, Hainan.

The event sites specifically featured trade-in zones, where rural consumers exchanging old vehicles for new energy vehicles could apply for corresponding subsidies according to policy.

Relevant authorities will guide automakers to prioritize launching models with long range, strong off-road capability, cold-weather resistance, and high value-for-money, comprehensively adapting to diverse scenarios such as rural transportation and agricultural production.

Furthermore, efforts will coordinate with power grid and energy companies to accelerate the full coverage of charging infrastructure in townships and villages, addressing the urban-rural support gap and optimizing the usage environment for new energy vehicles in rural areas.

Supported by the vehicle trade-in policy, the penetration rate of new energy passenger vehicles in China continues to rise, reaching 61.4% in April and 62.9% in May this year, exceeding 60% for two consecutive months and setting a new historical record.

Localized Strategies

Regions expand specialized subsidy categories.

This year, while actively implementing national subsidy policies, various regions have also introduced subsidies for locally determined categories.

Jiangsu took the lead by including ten types of smart home products, such as humanoid robots and cleaning appliances, in its provincial subsidy program.

Hunan added smart home and age-friendly products.

Shanghai added approximately ten categories including kitchen appliances, cleaning appliances, and age-friendly home products.

Regions are tailoring their approaches to match local consumption demands, forming a layered and categorized system of public-benefit subsidies.

As of June 20th, the trade-in policy has benefited 136 million person-times, driving consumer spending exceeding one trillion yuan. The subsidy leverage ratio reached 1:10.3, meaning every 1 yuan in subsidy stimulated 10.3 yuan in consumer spending. Sectors such as green products, smart technology, age-friendly solutions, and lower-tier markets continue to unleash domestic demand potential.