“There’s no reason why the VIC [very important customers] should stop buying [luxury items] in 2023, because even during the downturn in 2022 they were spending,” said Bruno Lannes, a Shanghai-based senior partner with Bain. “We will see more spending by them in 2023.”
Lockdown measures and standstill orders to guard against the spread of Covid-19 across the mainland in 2022 prevented millions of consumers from buying long-coveted personal care products or leather shoes.

02:18
Rich Chinese man proposes with Lamborghini, rejected by Russian girl
Rich Chinese man proposes with Lamborghini, rejected by Russian girl
Spending on luxury goods in the mainland last year is estimated to have hit 425 billion yuan (US$62.65 billion), down 9.6 per cent from 2021 owing to the more stringent pandemic curbs, according to data compiled by Bain.