Chinas Consumers Pull Back as Economic Anxiety Deepens Despite Push to Boost Spending

Shoppers walk on a street at a shopping district in Shenzhen, China, on April 3, 2025. Getty ImagesChina’s long-running effort to revive domestic consumption is showing fresh signs of strain, as merchants and residents in major cities say consumers are spending less, avoiding discretionary purchases, and increasingly turning to cheaper alternatives amid mounting economic uncertainty.Official data appears to reflect the broader pullback in consumer activity.