"There is a stronger demand for innovative products, as China's vast population has a growing appetite for smarter shopping experiences," Zhou said.

　　For example, at the Lanzhou International Auto Show held in Lanzhou, Gansu province, during the holiday, intelligent features were on full display. New energy vehicles integrated with AI drew particular attention. "Please activate the driver and passenger seat massage!""What's the altitude here?" visitors could be heard asking as they interacted with in-car AI systems, experiencing advanced intelligent driving assistance. Zhang Shuwei, head of the organizing committee, said over 70 brands and 120 dealerships participated in the event, held in a space covering more than 40,000 square meters.

　　A combination of cutting-edge products and subsidies from dealers and manufacturers allowed buyers to compare their options and place orders on-site.

　　Liu Ying, a researcher at Renmin University of China's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, said the holiday consumption data "demonstrates China's economic vitality and domestic demand potential". According to Liu, the figures point to an encouraging start to the fourth quarter, and the broader challenge would be to translate concentrated holiday demand into sustained household spending.

　　Government support for purchases and opportunities in service consumption offer scope for growth, she added.