With the rise of the lazy economy, Chicilon Media has become a key battleground for brand competition

Introduction:

Writer Fan Toni once pointed out that “the highest state of a lazy city-dweller is finding shortcuts to double the results with half the effort, using advanced intelligence and information.”

As people become busier and technology more advanced, the pursuit of an efficient, relaxed, and high-quality life has given rise to a new economic model: the “lazy economy.”

This term isn’t meant literally; it represents an upgrade in consumer behavior. Some young people seek effectiveness and quality—yet every technological breakthrough can also be a form of “laziness.” Offline media channels like Chicilon Media have become battlegrounds for lazy-economy brands to win over consumers.

The Lazier, the Happier

Hard work boosts productivity, but laziness can drive social progress.

For modern young people, laziness isn’t about leisure—it’s a rational response to economic growth, technology, and clearly defined social labor division.

On the flip side, the hectic pace of modern life also fuels the lazy economy. Rising GDP per capita and disposable incomes give young people the privilege of laziness—the freedom to choose consumption that saves them time.

Spending money to save time has become a core value for busy youth. Ordering food via apps saves cooking time; cleaning services save housework time; online grocery shopping saves market trips. From dishwashers to robot vacuum cleaners, a plethora of services now cater to the lazy.

Which Sectors Thrive in the Lazy Economy?

1. 500 Million People Ordering Takeaway

Takeaway services blend the lazy economy with household convenience. Cooking used to be the main family event; now, buying food, cooking, and washing up can all be replaced by takeout.

Surveys show that 36.1% of takeaway users are aged 18–25, and 22.5% aged 26–30. Generation Z (born in the 1990s) forms the core of this trend—they’re the largest demographic ordering takeout.

The lazy economy has propelled the food delivery sector: most users order via delivery apps. The boom in food delivery enables home-based dining, promotes online food services, and drives economic circulation. In the mid-to-upper-tier delivery market, busy office workers and middle managers make up 48.1%. The days of preparing lunch at home are giving way to takeaway. Generations X and Y (born in the ’80s and ’90s) are now the main takeaway consumer base.

2. The “1 km Economy”: Online Grocery Shopping

Though food delivery is booming, many young people still enjoy cooking—but prefer to buy groceries via apps or supermarkets. Even if a supermarket is just 1 km away, lazy consumers avoid the trip. The biggest growth in the lazy economy comes from instantaneous consumption. Young people’s food consumption habits differ from those of older generations.

Urban millennials in fast-paced Tier‑1 cities increasingly use online grocery platforms for daily needs.

For example, Grab Mart promises delivery in 29 minutes and offers a wide range of items—including ~200 vegetables, 40+ soy products, 100+ fruits, 180–220 meats & eggs, 100+ seafood items, plus spices, snacks, household goods, and niche products. This service model suits smaller cities but urban families especially appreciate it for efficiency—they can shop quickly and ensure nutrition for their children. Data shows that most online grocery users are aged 25–45, mainly urban office workers. Their traits:

• Time is precious; convenience is critical.

• They value quality and convenience; once they experience online grocery shopping, repeat purchases are highly likely.

• They're less inclined to bargain in hypermarkets; they prefer transparent online pricing.

3. Diverse, Delicious, Convenient Foods

Previously, “convenient food” meant instant noodles or cookies—limited, nutritionally poor, and often unhealthy. But with economic growth, household consumption has shifted to individual consumption. More single-person households in cities, and the rise of ready-to-eat convenience foods.

Younger consumers have strong demand for such foods: cheaper and faster than takeout, driving the convenience food industry. Products now range from premium noodles to regional instant meals and hotpot kits.

Flavors and convenience are diversifying, turning convenience foods into a retail sector. This trend is driven not only by logistics and retail innovation but also by the lazy economy and marketing efforts—powerful consumers help fuel innovation.

4. Future Directions of the Lazy Economy

Trend 1: Technology
Next-gen devices—from cloud computing to 5G and AI—will make products smarter. Future tools might go far beyond simple robot vacuums.

Trend 2: Suppliers
Traditional retail will digitize. Beyond takeout and fresh food, supermarkets, produce markets, eateries, dessert shops, and other store-based services will improve. Platforms enabling rider-consumer interaction will accelerate industry-wide digital transformation in retail.

Trend 3: Consumers
Consumers are now willing to pay for time, service, and convenience.
Home-delivery convenience services will improve, raising user awareness and industry service quality.
More companies will enter the race, making brand building critical.
As one insight puts it:

“With the rise of powerful consumer groups, only by understanding their logic can future business succeed.”

Under the wave of the new economy, the lazy are being redefined by commerce. This desire for “laziness” spawns new industries and products, and offline media like Chicilon Media are key competition grounds.

Ultimately, consumer “laziness”—or youth laziness—is not idleness but time-saving: directing time and energy to higher‑value tasks. This makes immediacy, fragmentation, and integration the key demands of young consumers. Laziness is no longer an insult—it’s a hallmark of the new era. Market forces are fueling a transformation in business models. In fact, it’s not that we’re becoming lazy—it’s that life is rapidly evolving.