Some people jokingly say, "Humans have developed Xianyu to less than % of its potential." This secondhand trading platform, established over a decade ago, now boasts over 100 million registered users with a daily transaction volume exceeding 100 million yuan. It has evolved into a vibrant lifestyle community where, beyond traditional buying and selling of idle items, people enthusiastically hunt for coupons to "snag bargains," rent out their time for chatting, gaming, or walking dogs and playing with cats, or even use it as a memo pad or to send packages to friends... These endlessly creative and "abstract" transactions continuously inject fresh vitality into Xianyu.

On [Month Day], Yicai, in collaboration with Xianyu, released the report titled "Trillion-Dollar Opportunity: Understanding the Magic of 'Xianyu Economy'" (hereinafter referred to as the "Report"). Based on market consumption data, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the unique features and growth potential of the "Xianyu Economy" from various transaction perspectives.

The Window of Wealth Creation Before the Consumption Boom: How Young People Can Seize Opportunities to Capture the Benefits The sustained recovery in retail consumption has provided vast development space for the "idle fish economy." From an individual demand perspective, influenced by cost-effectiveness and environmental awareness, young people are increasingly willing to try secondhand transactions. The pursuit of personalized consumption further broadens the idea of using platforms like Idle Fish for peer-to-peer trading.

Data shows that in [specific month and year], the total number of users in China's second-hand e-commerce market reached [number] billion, with nearly half under the age of [specific age]. On the Xianyu platform, [number] million idle items are posted daily. In the era of the "lipstick economy," making money on Xianyu could become a new path to wealth. On [specific date], Xianyu's "Prosperity Season" campaign introduced the brand proposition "Go to Xianyu, have money to spend!" encouraging users to earn on the platform. Additionally, the platform launched a smart posting feature to help users sell their items faster and more efficiently.

Everything Can Be Sold on Xianyu: A New Wealth Track Under Trillion-Consumption Dividends According to the report, an increasing number of young people are willing to pay for emotions and even premium prices. Otaku (二次元) consumption is a very prominent example. For anime and manga enthusiasts, Xianyu has become one of the most important trading platforms for buying and selling "merch" (a homophone of "goods" in English, referring to anime-related merchandise) and the "four major hobbies" (Hanfu, Lolita fashion, JK uniforms, and cosplay costumes). The report shows that online otaku transactions grew by % year-on-year.

Another example is the popularity of "emotional" items like movie merchandise and game figurines. According to official data from Xianyu, demand for *Ne Zha* movie merchandise increased by %, demand for *My Little Pony* products rose by %, and transactions related to *Honor of Kings* grew by %. The impact of emotional consumption among young people is undeniably profound.

The report shows that nearly % of users use the tools daily. From a technological perspective, it is profoundly transforming the ecosystem of idle goods trading. When entering the idle trading scenario, on one hand, it facilitates the upgrade of trading infrastructure, while on the other hand, many young people are seizing the business opportunities it brings. "Generating online orders" and "usage tutorials" have also become hot topics in platform transactions.

In addition to leveraging emotional value and technology to "get rich," many people are also using their skills to develop side hustles. According to the *Report*, approximately 10,000 sellers post skill-based side gigs on Xianyu each year; these active young users earn an average of 5,000 yuan from their side hustles on the platform. From illustration and errand services to accountability check-ins, home-cooked meal delivery, and even part-time bridesmaid gigs, these niche services have expanded people's imagination of side hustles. They also provide young people with diversified income streams, becoming a new option for flexible employment.

Using Information Gaps to Save Money and Hedge Against Inflation: Xianyu Makes Money More Valuable For buyers, comparing prices on Xianyu has gradually become a deeply ingrained consumption habit. According to the report, during the Spring Festival this year, transaction volume for vouchers on the Xianyu platform increased by % year-on-year. Young people save approximately % of their consumption costs by comparing prices on Xianyu, including using the platform to order milk tea, coffee, fried chicken, burgers, and more. Dining group coupons, hotel bookings, and mall parking vouchers—Xianyu has become the go-to platform for young people to "snag the best deals."

The reason lies in the evolving consumption attitudes of young people. While spending to please their emotions, they also approach each purchase with greater rationality and caution, adhering to the principle of "buying expensive is fine, but overpaying is not." According to the report, applications for subsidies on new purchases of mobile phones and other digital products have continued to rise, increasing by tens of thousands by the end of January alone. They no longer blindly pursue "brand-new" items but instead hunt for high-quality branded goods on platforms like Xianyu Outlet, with keywords such as "discounted clearance" and "new arrivals from big brands" becoming popular. Through subsidies and "bargain hunting," young consumers have found a way to enjoy higher quality at lower costs, creating a unique form of "new frugalism" that belongs to them.

Under the influence of this consumption concept, "renting instead of buying" has also become a new trend. According to the report, the market size of China's new leasing industry continues to grow, reaching billions of yuan annually, with a projected compound annual growth rate of % from to . The rental scenarios on the Xianyu platform exhibit diverse characteristics, not limited to physical items like wedding dresses and suits, ski equipment, and clothing, but also including virtual products such as gaming accounts and space rentals like parking spots.

Creating Opportunities, Redefining Value: The Magic of Xianyu Arrives at the Right Time Young netizens sometimes jokingly refer to "Xianyu" as the "seafood market," a metaphor that paints a vivid and dynamic picture—countless transactions and trending topics converge here. On one side, people are auctioning off year-end party prizes; on another, users are helping foreigners pick Chinese names. Some offer services like ordering bubble tea or walking dogs, while others team up to hit discount thresholds. They’ve even crafted a unique lexicon, with phrases like "steal deals," "small discounts welcome, no lowballing," and "casually selling." These insider terms aren’t just communication tools—they reflect young people’s rational approach to consumption and their desire to assert control over their own narratives.

At this level, Xianyu transcends being a mere trading platform and becomes a "container" for young people to express their attitudes and emotions towards life. Countless users establish connections and find resonance here through shared interests, mutual assistance, and creative ideas. From emotional consumption to technological empowerment, from the side hustle economy to new frugalism, we observe that Xianyu is witnessing a new consumer revolution. Through the lens of Xianyu, we also catch a glimpse of the creative vitality of the younger generation and the future consumption trends they are leading.