💜What are “Gu Zi” (谷子)?
“Gu Zi” is actually the transliteration of the Japanese word “グッズ” (goods). In simple terms, it refers to various types of merchandise! From super cute little items to practical everyday goods, the variety of Gu Zi is so extensive that it can make your eyes dazzle. Below, let’s take a look at some common types of Gu Zi👇
💜What are the categories of Gu Zi?
1️⃣ Badges (吧唧): These are actually badges! They are round and super cute, with pins on the back, perfect for attaching to bags or clothes. They are super eye-catching! Every time I go to an exhibition, I can’t help but stock up on badges. Who understands this obsession!
2️⃣ Pain Packs (痛包): Pain packs are not “painful bags”! They are bags adorned with your favorite badges and charms, allowing you to proudly display your love for your favorite characters. Walking on the street with a pain pack will definitely turn heads💥
3️⃣ Cotton Dolls (棉花娃娃): Who can resist these soft and fluffy Q-version dolls! With options for fluffy hair, smooth hair, and various outfits, you can change their clothes and take photos every day, bringing a sense of happiness and fulfillment🥰
4️⃣ Stands (立牌): A must-have for your desk! Whether they are made of acrylic or paper, placing them on your desk makes you feel surrounded by your favorite characters, making studying and working more motivated～
5️⃣ Flowing Mahjong (流麻): Flowing mahjong is amazing! When you shake it, the glittering flow sand moves in a unique way. Each piece is a handmade work of art, perfect for taking beautiful photos📸
6️⃣ Gu Mei (谷美): This is not the name of the merchandise, but the process of beautifully arranging and photographing Gu Zi with props and backdrops. It brings a great sense of achievement!
7️⃣ Handle Art (柄图): This is the soul pattern of Gu Zi! The original character art created by the artists, printed on various Gu Zi, looks amazing!
8️⃣ Paper Merchandise (纸片谷): This includes postcards, posters, and transparent cards. They are light and easy to collect, with less financial pressure, making them perfect for beginners～
9️⃣ Gu Zi Coasters (谷子杯垫): Practical and beautiful! They not only prevent water cups from wetting the table but also feature character images that are pleasing to the eye. Placing them at your workstation can bring joy every day!
❓What are the “Gu Zi” (谷子), “Ba Ji” (吧唧), and “Tong Bao” (痛包) that have been popular among Gen Z and even younger generations? What is their origin? ❓What factors are driving the recent surge in the “Gu Zi economy”? What business opportunities are hidden in this trend? What other niche categories are worth paying attention to in this industry chain? 💡We have dissected 8 research reports on the “Gu Zi economy” to help you find the answers~
👉What are Gu Zi? Gu Zi is a transliteration of “goods.” It refers to secondary products derived from animations, comics, games, novels, and other copyrighted works. Priced lower, these soft peripherals have a high consumption frequency and reach a broader audience. Domestic “Gu Zi” typically costs between 10-30 yuan, while imported “Gu Zi” ranges from 30-60 yuan. The consumer base for “Gu Zi” is predominantly young, with those under 22 years old being the majority. These products offer emotional value, have social attributes, and possess collectible worth.
🔥Common Gu Zi Categories: Ba Ji (badges, the largest proportion), cards, pendants, dolls, instant cameras, colored paper, mahjong, laser tickets, posters, transparent cards, stands, etc.
💰How large is the Gu Zi economy market? The secondary market for anime and comic derivatives grew from 5.3 billion yuan in 2016 to 102.4 billion yuan in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 52.66% from 2016 to 2023. The scale of China’s pan-entertainment product industry reached 129.7 billion yuan in 2022 and is expected to reach 230.4 billion yuan by 2027.
🔥Drivers of the Gu Zi Economy: 1️⃣The rapid expansion of the pan-secondary user base, expected to exceed 500 million by 2024. 2️⃣The lipstick effect boosting the Gu Zi economy, with emotional consumption on the rise. 3️⃣The rise of domestic IPs combined with China’s manufacturing capabilities is driving the rapid development of “national Gu Zi,” expanding the market. 4️⃣Offline secondary retail stores are experiencing a boom in store openings, with prosperous channels driving the trend.
⛓️The Gu Zi Industry Chain: ⬆️Upstream: IP creation and licensing Domestic and Japanese IPs, as well as IP agents.
➡️Midstream: Operating and production entities, responsible for IP development, operation, and product design. Core capabilities of manufacturers: IP selection, productization, commercialization, and consumer reach.
⬇️Downstream: Channels “Gu Zi stores” Gu Zi retail brands New retail channels
From www.fooodiee.com
