The “young generation” in China, those born in the 1980s, ’90s and the first decade of the 2000s, are poised to become a dominant force in the country’s consumer market, according to management advisory firm Boston Consulting Group.

In fact, the emergence of a more free-spending generation as a major consuming class is one of three megatrends BCG expects to drive a 55 per cent expansion in China’s consumption spending over the next five years. BCG said that consumption within the under-35 set is growing at 14 per cent annually, double that of their elders.

Members of the young generation also outspend their parents and grandparents as well—by as much as 40 per cent in many product categories. Over the next five years, their share of total consumption will reach 53 per cent from its current level of 45 per cent.

One other important to keep in mind when considering Chinese younger consumers is that they tend to be college educated and more sophisticated than other shoppers in the country. They also love their brands. According to BCG’s research, they tend to recognise more brands than their peers in the US, they often advocate for them either personally or online, and they form stronger emotional bonds with them.

Visit Alizlia to read about the power of consumers despite a slowing Chinese economy and the importance of rising incomes in the middle class.

* Tom Brennan writes for Alizila, the independent (but Alibaba founded) news portal on issues relating to the Alibaba Group.