Move over, traditional consumerism – Gen Z is rewriting the rules of global commerce with TikTok-inspired spontaneity and borderless curiosity. 🚀 A Power of Youth+ episode recently aired by CGTN explored how young shoppers at Beijing’s Central University of Finance and Economics are blending Brazilian coffee rituals, Chinese EV tech fandom, and K-beauty obsessions into a new cultural lexicon.
🔑 Key takeaways from students:
E-commerce platforms like AliExpress and Shein are their 'digital passports' to global trends
62% prefer buying from brands that highlight sustainability stories
Merna, the show’s host, noted: 'Their carts aren’t just shopping lists – they’re bridges between continents.' The episode highlighted how Zhejiang’s tea farmers now collaborate with Colombian coffee growers via livestreaming platforms, creating what one MBA student called 'the Starbucks of cultural fusion.' ☕🌏
With global youth spending projected to hit $12 trillion by 2026, these shopping habits could reshape everything from climate policies to diplomatic ties. As CUFE sophomore Lin Wei puts it: 'Every purchase is a vote for the world we want.' ✨
