Tarot with your merlot? Why China’s consumers are spending ‘spiritually’
Uncertain times are leading more of China’s youth to seek out mystical experiences and products, creating a budding ‘spiritual economy’
In China's biggest cities, many of the trendiest nightlife spots aren’t known for their craft cocktails or stunning views, but for an unusual feature: fortune-telling.
Sip of Oracle, a self-styled “spiritual bar” in central Shanghai, encapsulates this trend with its whimsical slogan, “Explore the unknown in a tipsy haze.”
Kate Li, a Shanghai bank employee reeling from a recent pay cut, stumbled upon the establishment with friends one weekend.
“We were venting about work and curious about our career paths. A quick search led us to this bar, and the fortune-teller’s insights were surprisingly spot on.”
Businesses like these are part of what has been termed China’s booming “spiritual economy”, an informal category describing a variety of occult or metaphysical activities that are in vogue for the country's consumers.