Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Lululemon Leggings for $5? China’s Counterfeit Market on the Rise

Daniel Kim Views  

In China, a resurgence of counterfeit goods evokes memories of the late 20th century as society grapples with rising unemployment among its youth. These young individuals increasingly adopt a lifestyle centered on these imitations, a trend reminiscent of earlier economic challenges.

A popular Chinese online shopping site offers counterfeit Lululemon leggings at just a quarter of the price of the genuine article. This suggests that China is indeed reverting to a counterfeit culture. / Jingji Ribao.

Historically, China has held a dubious distinction as a leader in counterfeiting, earning the label of “G1.” The country boasts a long tradition of producing fakes, encapsulated by the adage, “Everything is fake except for mom!” However, the rapid economic growth of the 21st century altered this narrative. Although counterfeit products did not vanish entirely, the appetite for luxury goods soared, with Chinese consumers significantly shaping the global luxury market before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent reports from state media, notably Jingji Ribao, reveal that the economic fallout from the pandemic has triggered a reversal in consumer behavior. As average incomes decline, many are reverting to the familiar comforts of counterfeit goods.

This shift is particularly evident among young people facing unemployment, who, while not indulging in luxury brands, readily embrace counterfeit alternatives. The emergence of terms such as pingtipin (平替品), referring to alternative products in the marketplace, underscores this trend.

Examples abound. For instance, Lululemon yoga pants, which retail for around 750 yuan ($105), can be found online for approximately 35 yuan ($5). Likewise, counterfeit Samsung smartphones, depending on the model, are available for around 3,000 yuan ($420).

The Chinese economy is currently grappling with deflation, characterized by falling prices amid an economic downturn. Analysts expressed skepticism about China’s ability to meet its growth target of approximately 5% for the year. Despite government efforts to mitigate these challenges, the outlook remains grim, with anticipated growth rates of just 1 to 2% for the coming year. Under these conditions, it appears inevitable that the consumption of counterfeit goods will continue to thrive among Chinese consumers.

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[ASIA] Latest Stories

  • North Korea Buried in April Snow—Experts Warn of Major Crop Damage After Climate Shock
  • North Korea’s Smartest Teens Are Being Dragged Into the Military—Here’s Why
  • North Korea Opens Its First Internet Café—and Kim Jong Un Brings His Daughter
  • Vietnam Cracks Down on Imports to Avoid U.S. Tariff Backlash
  • Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Time Spec Breaks Tsukuba Circuit Record, Cementing EV Performance Legacy
  • North Korea Sends Young Volunteers to Dangerous Jobs Under the Guise of Voluntary Participation

You May Also Like

  • 1
    GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic Might Cut Cancer Risk Too, Study Finds

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    New Brain Cancer Drug Taps Into the Body's Internal Clock

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    How What You Eat Affects Your Mouth—And the Rest of Your Body

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Fatigue Fighters? Scientists Zero In on Hidden Energy Regulators

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Snoring May Be Hurting Your Memory More Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Superfoods Gone Wrong: What Not to Overeat

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Stop Peeling Your Kiwi—Here’s Why You Should Eat the Skin

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Ovarian Cancer’s Hidden Threat? It’s in the Fluid, Not the Tumor

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    New Study Says Everyday Plastic Could Be Wrecking Your Sleep

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Why Doctors Call Syphilis the Great Pretender

    LIFESTYLE 

Must-Reads

  • 1
    GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic Might Cut Cancer Risk Too, Study Finds

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    New Brain Cancer Drug Taps Into the Body's Internal Clock

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    How What You Eat Affects Your Mouth—And the Rest of Your Body

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Fatigue Fighters? Scientists Zero In on Hidden Energy Regulators

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Snoring May Be Hurting Your Memory More Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Superfoods Gone Wrong: What Not to Overeat

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Stop Peeling Your Kiwi—Here’s Why You Should Eat the Skin

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Ovarian Cancer’s Hidden Threat? It’s in the Fluid, Not the Tumor

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    New Study Says Everyday Plastic Could Be Wrecking Your Sleep

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Why Doctors Call Syphilis the Great Pretender

    LIFESTYLE 

Share it on...