German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, tries a pair of smart glasses developed by Hangzhou-based Rokid. [Photo/WeChat account: yhqxwb]

The Spring Festival holiday not only boosted spending but also highlighted structural shifts in Hangzhou's consumer market.

According to the Hangzhou municipal bureau of commerce, total consumption reached 17.75 billion yuan ($2.59 billion) from Feb 15 to 22, up 7.6 percent year-on-year. Sales of green, intelligent and health-related products — dubbed the city's consumer "new trio" — posted particularly strong growth.

At a themed market in Wensan Future Science Technology Experience Center, Rokid smart glasses saw sales surge 580 percent, while Xiaomi AI home appliances rose 10.8 percent, signaling AI's transition from novelty to household necessity.

Following their high-profile Spring Festival Gala performance broadcast by China Central Television, robots from Unitree Robotics also drove rental revenue up more than 100 percent, blending digital technology with traditional cultural elements to attract big crowds.

The trend coincides with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Hangzhou, where he toured local tech firms alongside executives from leading German industries. The visit has further elevated Hangzhou's global profile in intelligent technology and digital consumption.

Analysts note that the popularity of the "new trio" reflects deeper demand for quality, immersive and health-oriented lifestyles rather than short-term holiday enthusiasm.

As China's digital economy hub, Hangzhou has built a full innovation ecosystem linking R&D, application scenarios and market deployment, creating a virtuous cycle between industry and consumption.

To sustain momentum, businesses are urged to shift from traffic-driven marketing to core technology development, embedding smart and green products into daily life across home, office and travel scenarios.

A woman interacts with an AI device at the Wensan Future Science Technology Experience Center. [Photo/WeChat account:visithangzhou]