In addition to receiving State subsidies of up to 20% on select household appliances, Shenzhen residents can further benefit from substantial additional discounts on JD.com, which may amount to as much as 60%, according to a policy launch conference at JD.com's home appliances and electronics flagship store in Huaqiangbei, Futian District, on Friday.
Shenzhen has initiated a new round of trade-in subsidies for household appliances, effective from Jan. 1, according to the city's commerce bureau.
The first batch of subsidized products encompasses eight categories — refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, air conditioners, computers, water heaters, household stoves, and range hoods.
Consumers who purchase home appliances that meet level-1 energy or water efficiency standard, the highest standard of energy efficiency for appliances and equipment, are eligible for national subsidies of up to 20%, translating to a maximum of 2,000 yuan (US$273) per item.
Those opting for appliances that meet level-2 energy or water efficiency standard will enjoy a subsidy equal to 15% of the product's retail price, with the subsidy for each item also capped at 2,000 yuan.
Since the new trade-in policy began, Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com's home appliances and electronics stores in Shenzhen have recorded a 126% increase in sales compared to the same period last year, according to JD.com.
The categories that have seen the most significant growth are televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and kitchen and bathroom products.
According to the city's commerce bureau, Shenzhen consumers will soon be able to receive a 15% subsidy on the purchase of three types of digital products, including mobile phones, tablets, and smart watches and bracelets. Each consumer can receive a subsidy for one item from each product type, with the subsidy for each item not exceeding 500 yuan.
The city is also accelerating the expansion of subsidy categories to encompass a wider range of consumer goods, ensuring that more residents can benefit from this initiative, the bureau said.
In 2024, Shenzhen implemented a series of trade-in policies that bolstered both the popularity and vitality of consumer spending.
Approximately 5.5 million units of automobiles and household appliances were purchased via trade-ins, generating sales revenue of 42 billion yuan. This momentum contributed to a 1.5% increase in the city's total retail sales of consumer goods, which reached 968.29 billion yuan from January through November of 2024, official data show.