INTERVIEW
For several weeks, China has continued its deconfinement. But despite the removal of many constraints, the economic situation is still causing as much concern. "In China, the consumer is very cautious. Consumption is still 8 to 10% below the level before the crisis. The Chinese consumer has become frugal," said economist Patrick Artus on Saturday night on Europe 1.
>> LIVE - Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation
"People were at home for two months, they thought about it and saw that we could do something other than consuming frantically. What we see in China is great caution from the consumer but also from businesses, since the level of investments is much lower than before the crisis, "added the member of the Natixis executive committee.
CORONAVIRUS ESSENTIALS
> Vaccine, immunity, transmission: four questions still topical on the coronavirus
> Why is hydroxychloroquine rejected by health authorities?
> Coronavirus: 5 mistakes not to make with your mask
> How does StopCovid work? We tested the tracing application in preview
> Statistical corrections, rounded averages ... exceptional measures for the bac 2020
> Why are French nurses among the lowest paid in Europe?
"We have changed the way we consume"
Patrick Artus has, more generally, noticed a profound change in mentalities and consumption patterns, in China as elsewhere in the world. "We have changed the way we consume. What is very impressive is the huge increase in online consumption compared to traditional consumption, or you are not consuming the same thing," noted the economist.
>> Watch Wendy Bouchard's Big Journal in replay and podcast here
"There is also the problem of health standards: we may not want to go to a store or a restaurant," said Patrick Artus.