Penetration rate of e-commerce among senior users in China 2021, by category
How does technology change the life of the Chinese elderly?
With the rapid development of internet infrastructure and the affordability of smart devices, an increasing number of elderly Chinese have become tech-savvy. According to a survey in 2021, nearly 50 percent of middle-aged and elderly in China spent at least four hours online. Thanks to modern technology, the elderly of today have better access to information, goods, and services without relying on their families. This also meant convenient access to essential services like finances and health care.
How do senior internet users change China’s e-commerce landscape?
China's senior consumers have become prominent players in the country's e-commerce landscape. On the one hand, the elderly accounted for a large part of the growth in China’s new e-commerce users. Almost half of the new Taobao e-commerce customers during the Singles' Day sales in 2021 were born before 1970. Additionally, senior consumers are often more patient than their ascenders in finding a cheaper deal, thereby encouraging the development of apps that compare prices and offer discounts.