CCTV9英语新闻：中国零售企业现金的季节性消费

By CCTV correspondent Grace Brown

Christmas may not be a traditional time for celebrations in China, but that doesn’t get in the way of its commercial opportunity. With many young people there looking to let off steam - and shopping the main therapy - Christmas is increasingly big business for retailers² in China.
 
Like many Western traditions, Christmas is catching³ on in China...But they do it a little differently. You’re more likely to see a saxophone or guitar-playing Santa, than a classic nativity display. For a generation of Chinese under increasingly high pressure, it’s a chance to have fun... And an excuse to spend.

 

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Chinese retailers cash in on seasonal spending

 

“Christmas in China is less about the birth of Jesus and more about the presents. The main form of celebration is shopping and for retailers here, this is boom time. But it’s also the start of a much bigger spending season... Leading up to Chinese New Year,’’ CCTV correspondent Grace Brown said.

"A lot of our stores have opened this year because we’re a brand new mall and so our sales from November to December increased 30 percent... We do try to bring the Christmas ambiance to our mall and we are seeing an increase in traffic. People are coming to spend time here, and a lot of it is coming to look at our decorations, like this snowglobe that you see behind me so this is a unique experience... Chinese consumers may just be learning about Christmas, but we feel the way the local market does absorb new ideas quickly, it’s been very successful for us,’’ said Leo Hwang, executive director of Parkview Green

Analysts⁵ say retailers are spurring on festivals, to get shoppers in the mood...

"In the economic slowdown trend, the retailers and manufacturers in China are pushing really hard to create the shopping occasion or the excuse for the consumers to shop, or consume or to celebrate different festivals, like the ’Double Eleven,’ that really created a lot of excitement for consumers to shop online. China has become more and more open to Western cultures, especially the young generation, they are educated, so it’s really a big occasion to create the excuse to release the pressure of work and study,’’ said Ryan Zhou, Director of China Client Service Retail¹ Measurement, Nielsen.

Gifts in China are also more varied⁶...

"If we name one or two, chocolate and candy are definitely on the top of the consumption peak for the Christmas season. Another category that is really booming is dairy. More and more consumers have the concern for health. So dairy, especially premium⁷ dairy, is treated as a gift, to their families, to their friends, to their kids,’’ Ryan Zhou said.

And also with China’s leaders rolling out new measures to boost consumption, seasonal shopping sprees are likely to grow.

 

1 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

2 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

3 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

4 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

5 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

6 varied   

adj.多样的，多变化的

参考例句：

• The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
• The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

7 premium   

n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的

参考例句：

• You have to pay a premium for express delivery.寄快递你得付额外费用。
• Fresh water was at a premium after the reservoir was contaminated.在水库被污染之后，清水便因稀而贵了。