The Consumption of China’s E-Commerce: Evidence from JD’s Festival Sales

Abstract

We have systematically explored the patterns, trends, and main characteristics of China’s e-commerce by relying on data on JingDong’s online sales. One of the most interesting findings is that China’s online consumer spending is positively correlated with regional income. In addition, people’s online consumer spending behavior exhibits regional heterogeneity and age cohort heterogeneity. People in the east region exhibit the strongest online consumer spending capacity. Finally, the most popular products sold online at JD are cell phones, followed by food and beverages, makeup and cosmetics, digital products, and lifestyle and travel goods.

Publication
Mandel and Haughwout - Handbook of U.S. Consumer Economics