Customers try out smartphones at a store in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

East China's Zhejiang unveiled a plan to stimulate spending, ease financial burdens, and enhance the consumer experience at a news conference on March 18. The goal is to increase total retail sales of consumer goods by over 5 percent in 2025.

At the core of this plan is household income growth, with policies designed to synchronize wage increases with GDP growth and create over one million new urban jobs.

In 2025, Zhejiang will implement cost-cutting measures in key areas such as childcare, education, healthcare, and eldercare, addressing financial concerns that often curb discretionary spending.

The plan also focuses on purchases, introducing incentives for housing, automobiles, and home appliances, alongside trade-in programs to encourage product upgrades.

Meanwhile, service consumption will receive a major push, with the province set to host over 30 international and over 200 national sporting events, as well as over 150 large-scale performances.

To elevate the shopping experience, Zhejiang is investing in the "debut economy", modern retail spaces, and experiential consumer venues, fostering a dynamic and high-quality marketplace.

Infrastructure upgrades will expand leisure and wellness options, improve consumer protections, and encourage inbound tourism, while policies supporting 24-hour retail and extended hours for cultural sites will further enhance accessibility.

The province will also reduce administrative red tape, ensuring public venues and commercial spaces operate with minimal bureaucratic interference.