Pre-festival condom sales are booming. Reported by Zhang Xiaofen with photos.
New Express - Report by journalist Zhang Xiaofen: Unlike previous years, this year just before the Spring Festival, in counters selling adult products and specialized stores, various brands of condoms have been listed as essential "New Year goods" alongside other holiday supplies... In recent days, New Express reporters have visited various adult product stores and found that the sales volume of different brands of condoms has shown a booming trend, with some malls even launching "buy one get one free" promotional campaigns.
Adult Product Stores See Booming Business
As an area with a large concentration of migrant population, Shipai Village sees a sharp decline in its population just before the Spring Festival, leaving many shops with quiet business. However, adult product stores, which usually have average sales, experience an unusually bustling season at this time. "Every year around this time, it's always like this; the sales volume is much higher than usual," said Mr. Li, who operates an adult product store in Shipai Village. The store, less than 10 square meters in size, usually sees few customers, but these past few days have seen a constant stream of visitors.
Mr. Li explained that this is because many young people work alone away from home and only reunite with their wives or girlfriends during the Spring Festival. Mr. Li chuckled, saying that condoms, which are rarely used during other times, become hotly contested items during this period.
In the ten minutes that the reporter was interviewing Mr. Li, six people came to his store to buy condoms, four of whom were young people about to return home. "I'm buying them to use when I get back; there's no special reason," one young man said as he quickly left after purchasing two boxes. "He seems a bit embarrassed; it might be his first time buying," Mr. Li commented. He added that apart from large shopping centers, these adult product stores are probably among the most prosperous businesses right now. "The daily sales in the last few days have been about 1000 yuan (approximately $150), much better than usual."
Condoms Become Gifts for Each Other
Unlike specialized adult product stores, in malls, condoms and other adult products are usually placed near the checkout counters in more visible locations. Yesterday, at a supermarket in Huajing New City, customers would shyly pick up a few boxes while checking out and quickly pay before leaving. One such customer was Xiao Liu, who works at Tianhe Software Park. Xiao Liu told the reporter that he plans to return to his hometown in Hubei on New Year's Eve. Returning with him are several colleagues, all young people. "Our department has a tradition of giving each other condoms as gifts during the Spring Festival," Xiao Liu said. The supermarket manager noted that every year around this time, some white-collar workers purchase large quantities of condoms to take home for the holidays, treating them like "New Year goods." To not miss out on this excellent business opportunity, the store recently launched a "buy one get one free" promotion.
■ Expert Opinion
"Special Gifts" Enhance Marital Relationships
Regarding the pre-festival boom in adult product sales, experts from the Guangzhou Sexual Science Association told reporters that compared to inland areas, coastal regions face greater competitive pressures and higher living costs, leading many migrant workers to work alone, resulting in long-term separation between spouses, making it difficult to maintain relationships. Therefore, the precious seven-day Spring Festival holiday becomes the best "lubricant," playing a significant role in promoting marital harmony. "Don't underestimate these seven days; if handled improperly, marital relationships can easily break down," the expert warned.