Four retail trends that emerged in Asia during Lunar New Year

Retailers such as JD rolled out products catering to a rising eat-at-home trend.

Amidst existing pandemic measures and changes in shoppers’ behaviour, some trends amongst retailers such as a rise in eat-at-home opportunity and growing use of online marketing have emerged during the Lunar New Year celebration in Asia, IGD reported.

As people have been advised against travel and large gatherings, demands for meal kits have boomed. As such, companies came up with many solutions to help create a new stay-at-home banquet occasion this year.

For example, JD’s SEVEN FRESH rolled out a wide range of meal kits for customers to cook at home. The range consists of local specialties, private label goods and premium seafood products, meeting different consumer needs.

Retailers are also creating promotions that are available both online and offline, aiming to make shopping simple, safe, and convenient. Time-limited promotions also encourage shoppers to increase purchase frequency as they pick up new bargains in each order.

Before the pandemic, Lunar New Year was felt in the stores with loud music, sampling of snacks and the occasional lion dance. However, many marketing events have been taking place online instead to spread cheer and provide inspiration.

With fortune telling an important part of Thai culture, Family Mart offered tarot reading from one of their four fortune tellers to shoppers for every receipt over $2.60 (THB80) via social media channel LINE.

Further, as customers sought festive gift boxes to wish good luck to friends and family members who cannot be together for the reunion celebration, retailers have responded to this need by offering rich choices and versatile delivery options.