Gen Z turns to convenience, flexibility of rental economy

Cheng Shuo works as an accountant in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, but the 27-year-old's real passion is attending live music performances. Almost every month, she travels to different cities for concerts, music festivals and fan events.

Before each show, Cheng carefully prepares her gear. She often rents a Sony A7 series camera to capture vivid details. Online rental platforms offer easy credit-based services, with professional cameras costing 200 to 400 yuan ($56) per day to rent.

"Buying one would cost tens of thousands of yuan, but renting for two days is only around 400 to 800 yuan. The process is simple — order online, verify your ID, and the camera arrives the next day," said Cheng.

She also rents clothing and accessories to match concert themes. "I sometimes rent an outfit in a particular shade, or some jewelry that matches the light sticks and banners," said Cheng.

In recent years, she has also started renting items for short trips with friends. For instance, she has rented a compact camera for a weekend getaway and a drone to capture images of landscapes.

"It only takes a few minutes to book what I need, then it's delivered to my door, ready to use. Afterward, I just pack it up and send it back," she said.

From renting high-end video equipment to trying household goods before buying, Chinese consumers, especially young people, are increasingly embracing a lifestyle based on renting rather than ownership.