The intertwining of high-quality service consumption and the enhancement of economic growth is profound, significantly influencing the quality of life for citizensAs economies worldwide strive for sustainable development, the need to elevate service quality, diversify consumption scenarios, and improve the consumer environment becomes increasingly paramountCreativity is the catalyst that ignites service consumption vitality and nurtures new growth points, solidifying the foundation for high-quality service supply.

In the first half of 2023, data revealed a notable trend in China, where service-related consumption expenditures accounted for 45.6% of per capita consumption spending—an increase of 1.1 percentage points compared to the previous yearThis shift signifies a broader transformation in consumer behavior influenced by demographic changesAs urbanization continues to surge, the integration of rural populations into urban lifestyles will drive demand for various services, including elder care and childcare facilities

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Moreover, the rise of younger consumers, who are increasingly becoming the mainstream demographic, is evidentTheir propensity for self-indulgent experiences such as cycling, skiing, camping, and live performances highlights a demand for immersive consumption experiences.

Technological innovations also play a crucial role in reshaping service consumption landscapesThe emergence of service robots in education and healthcare sectors is but one example of the rapid iteration and upgrade in technologyNew modes of service delivery, such as “Internet +” healthcare, digital education, and the rapid growth of new business models like eSports, social e-commerce, and live-streaming shopping platforms, have expanded consumer choicesConsumers can now enjoy a wider array of services that provide both convenience and personalization.

Despite the accelerated growth and diversification of service consumption, significant gaps persist within various service sectors in China

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The supply of innovative and diversified service consumption remains insufficient, highlighting a crucial area for developmentStrengthening the innovative capacity of service consumption requires fostering unique consumption scenariosEmphasizing the digitization and intelligence of consumption scenarios is vitalE-commerce platforms for lifestyle services, thus, become instrumental in establishing an ecosystem that integrates "smart" features in consumption, leveraging digital technologies to broaden consumption environments.

To achieve a harmonious balance between the supply and demand of services, integration across various service sectors is essentialFacilitating cross-industry innovation involving commerce, transportation, culture, tourism, and sports will promote the cohesive development of advanced manufacturing and modern service industriesMoreover, integrating urban and rural industries can create vibrant consumption opportunities

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A strategy for developing international consumption centers should focus on hosting large-scale sporting events that merge music, gastronomy, and cultural elements, creating new cultural and sports tourism industriesThis transformation has the potential to convert the “traffic” generated by these events into a substantial increase in consumer activity.