The anticipation of the upcoming Chinese New Year has led to a surge in orders for professional house cleaning services, reflecting a growing trend among consumers to exchange money for precious time.
Statistics from 58.com, China’s premier online classifieds marketplace, reveal a remarkable 200 per cent month-on-month increase in orders for comprehensive housecleaning during the initial three weeks of January 2024. This surge marks the highest level since 2021.
The practice of thoroughly cleaning one’s home is a significant tradition for the Chinese people as they prepare to usher in the Spring Festival. This age-old custom involves clearing away the old to make room for the new and is considered one of the more strenuous tasks associated with Lunar New Year traditions.
58.com’s data further indicates a spike in demand for specific cleaning services, with window cleaning experiencing a notable 300 per cent month-on-month increase while cleaning the kitchen extractor fan has seen a surge of about 100 per cent.
Among Chinese cities, Beijing has emerged as the leader in demand for housecleaning services, followed closely by other first-tier cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Geng Xinyu, the head of 58.com’s household services, attributes this growing demand to the flourishing service sector in China. The increasing affluence of consumers and the burgeoning platform economy drive this expansion.
In 2023, China’s service sector witnessed its added value accounting for 54.6 per cent of its GDP, reflecting a 1.2 percentage point increase from the previous year. Notably, retail sales of services experienced a substantial 20 per cent year-on-year growth in 2023.
