The picture shows the black pineapple market in the Jianguomen Old Vegetable Market in Xi'an. Data chart Photo by Zhang Yichen
Xi'an, February 20 (Xinhua) -- Title: "Generation Z" Leads Cities to "Catch Up with the Gathering Fever": A "Blind Box" Social Network under "Self-Pleasing Consumption"
China News Network reporter Zhang Yichen
"After a busy day at work, I wanted to go on a 'market trip'. There, whether it's a 'search' for a living idea or a conversation with an 'interesting soul', it can always bring people a surprise like opening a blind box. Every weekend, Li Xiaoyu, a "post-95" in Xi'an, becomes a "market catcher".
Coffee, food, handmade leather goods and accessories, bookish ornaments, trend art... When the traditional form is injected with the new connotation of cultural creativity, the "bazaar" in the city gradually begins to revive under the background of the "Generation Z" singing the protagonist, and the "catch-up market" has also become a casual social way with both "fashion sense" and "fireworks".
Li Xiaoyu said that during the holidays, meeting with friends of three or five to "catch the market" can not only make the fast-paced life "slow down" on weekdays, but also provide opportunities for everyone to communicate and exchange.
The picture shows a market event held in the southern suburbs of Xi'an. Data chart Photo by Zhang Yichen
As a handmade artist, Xi'an girl Zhao Ting has participated in several market activities. Through her production, clumps of yarn became carpets of different shapes and patterns. "I've loved doing crafts since I was a kid, and in the market, I can meet a lot of like-minded friends, everyone is young, there will always be a lot of common topics." Zhao Ting smiled.
In the Jianguomen Old Vegetable Market located in downtown Xi'an, the reporter saw that this comprehensive farmers' market with a history of more than 20 years, after maintaining the appearance of the old building and transforming the internal space of the "organic renewal", made "fashion" and "city well" coexist here. The creative bazaar "meets" the old town, attracting many "Generation Z" young people.
"The atmosphere of original handmade works, interesting lifestyle sharing and the slow pace of life are all outputs of a bazaar culture." Hou Dani, the manager of the black pineapple market, told the China News Network reporter that the market currently has 45 brands participating every week, including independent original lifestyle brands, niche brands in cultural blocks and food categories of old vegetable farms, attracting many young people to come to "punch in".
The "labels" such as "novelty" and "diversity" of the creative bazaar are "one-shot" with young people. In Hou Danni's view, the "broken circle" of the bazaar is inseparable from the Internet, and with the help of social platforms such as Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Weibo, the local market information is also very active, providing guidance for young people to "catch the market" on weekends.
"As a 'back wave', my 'rule' for shopping at the bazaar is 'just be happy'. In addition, many of the stall owners in the market are designers, artists, and craftsmen, and it is also a unique experience to share life with them during the 'rush' of the market. Yuan Hao, a senior "market catcher", said frankly.
"The 'catch-up craze' shows young people's strong desire for offline social networking." Wang Xiaoyong, an expert at the Shaanxi Academy of Social Sciences, said that young people are active in their thinking, the channels for contacting new things are more diversified, and they are more willing to pay for their preferences and feelings. Creative bazaars are increasingly appearing in cities, gradually turning the gathering place of niche enthusiasts into a new type of community for young people, and thus showing more possibilities for pursuing a better life. (End)