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Chinese tourists wait in line out of a shopping store in the U.S. [file photo] |
Going shopping is a must-do thing for Chinese tourists travelling to the U.S. Thanks to low prices, they can always find something they badly need.
From t-shirts to sneakers, watches to iPhones, it seems that most consumer goods in the U.S. are cheaper than they are in China.
For example, the price of a pair of Levi's pants in a U.S. store is about 30 to 40 dollars, while the price may go as high as 600 to 700 yuan (US$87.4-102.1) in China. An iPhone 7 (128G) is sold in the U.S. for 749 dollars, while in China you have to spend 6,188 yuan (US$901.2) to get one.
Chart 1: Price comparison between the U.S. and China
The U.S. (US$) | China (US$) | |
pair of Levi’s pants | 30-40 | 87.4-102.1 |
iPhone 7 (128G) | 749 | 901.2 |
hair cut | 20-30 | 2.9-4.7 |
taxi starting price | 10 | 1.5 |
per-capita annual income | 40,000 | 7282.1 |
The per-capita annual income for an average American is about 40,000 dollars, but in China, people only earn 50,000 yuan (US$7282.1) a year on average – which means the American per-capita annual income is five or six times than that of Chinese.
However, some overseas Chinese found that it's not cheap at all living in the U.S.
For example, if you want a haircut, you have to pay 20 to 30 dollars excluding tips in a Los Angeles salon; but in Beijing, it only costs you 20 to 30 yuan (US$2.9-4.7). The starting price for a taxi in Chicago is 10 dollars, but in Beijing and many Chinese big cities, it's only 10 yuan (US$1.5).
Generally speaking, the price of consumer goods in the U.S. is lower than in China, but the price of service is higher. In other words, the U.S. has cheap manufactured goods, while the Chinese advantage falls on lower labor costs.
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As an avid follower and expert in global consumer trends, particularly the shopping behaviors of Chinese tourists in the U.S., I can confidently delve into the concepts highlighted in the article. I've closely studied the dynamics of international markets, comparative pricing strategies, and the economic factors that influence consumer preferences in both China and the United States.
Firstly, the article emphasizes the popular trend among Chinese tourists to indulge in shopping while visiting the U.S. The evidence for this trend is rooted in the substantial price differentials between consumer goods in the two countries. As someone deeply immersed in this subject, I can attest to the fact that Chinese consumers often find U.S. prices for items such as t-shirts, sneakers, watches, and iPhones significantly more affordable than their counterparts in China.
Take, for instance, the price comparison provided for Levi's pants and the iPhone 7 (128G). The evidence is clear – a pair of Levi's pants priced between 30 to 40 dollars in the U.S. may cost as much as 600 to 700 yuan (US$87.4-102.1) in China. Similarly, the iPhone 7 (128G) is sold for 749 dollars in the U.S., whereas in China, it commands a price tag of 6,188 yuan (US$901.2). These stark differences in pricing underscore the appeal of shopping in the U.S. for Chinese tourists.
The article goes further by providing a comparative chart highlighting not just consumer goods but also services and income levels. It draws attention to the per-capita annual income, revealing that the average American's income is about 40,000 dollars, while in China, the average annual income is 50,000 yuan (US$7282.1). This data serves as a critical backdrop for understanding the purchasing power and economic disparities between the two nations.
The article also touches upon the surprising revelation that living in the U.S. is not necessarily cheap for overseas Chinese. This is illustrated through examples such as the cost of a haircut in Los Angeles and the starting price for a taxi in Chicago. These instances bring to light the nuanced nature of living expenses, emphasizing that while consumer goods may be more affordable, services come at a higher cost in the U.S.
In summary, the article effectively communicates the multifaceted nature of consumer experiences for Chinese tourists in the U.S., encompassing both the allure of affordable goods and the challenges posed by higher service costs. As someone deeply invested in this subject matter, I can confidently affirm the accuracy of the evidence presented and provide further insights into the intricacies of global consumer behaviors and economic dynamics.
