After the pandemic’s “trial” on social and economic development, industries across the board are seeking new directions. In the post-pandemic era, challenges and opportunities coexist. Relying on digital technologies such as the Internet and big data, self-media and online-oriented business models have become popular “tracks” for many industries. Meanwhile, due to the increased availability of idle resources caused by the pandemic, the sharing economy has rapidly emerged as another promising “track.”
So, for entrepreneurs and investors, which track should they enter? The sudden arrival of a pandemic has significantly impacted nearly every industry, but challenges often come hand in hand with opportunities. In the post-pandemic era, several industries that underwent a “reshuffling” deserve close attention. Data shows that during the pandemic, the models of Internet+, the sharing economy, and live-streaming e-commerce experienced rapid growth, partially solving the supply issues of daily necessities for people staying at home. Below, we outline key industry examples within these tracks to provide reference for investors. Here are five typical cases:
1. The Rise of Medical E-commerce
The medical industry stood out during the pandemic. At the onset of the outbreak, China faced a serious shortage of medical resources, and many patients had to rely on remote consultations, which created significant business opportunities in healthcare.
In the post-pandemic era, as the public increasingly accepts integrated online and offline medical service platforms, more consumers are choosing to purchase medicines or prescription drugs online. According to iResearch, China’s pharmaceutical market reached 470 billion RMB in 2019, with online channels accounting for over 70%, making them the main sales mode. With the deeper integration of Internet technology and traditional commerce, medical services are increasingly moving toward mobile and intelligent solutions. Online retail pharmacies and drugstores account for over 50% and 35% of sales, respectively, and online penetration is expected to continue rising.
2. Rapid Growth of Live-streaming E-commerce
According to the 2021 China New Consumption Trend Report, online marketing has become an important economic growth driver after advertising. In recent years, live-streaming platforms have grown explosively.
During the pandemic, with people confined to their homes, the live-streaming industry became an essential platform for daily entertainment. From official government information dissemination to celebrity-led sales, live-streaming captured a massive audience. Represented by e-commerce live streaming, the “live-stream +” industry has boomed. In the post-pandemic era, live commerce continues to thrive, and forms such as live-streamed sports and education are gradually maturing. With the arrival of the 5G era, faster data transmission speeds will foster new live-streaming experiences.
Moreover, combining sharing economy concepts with live streaming has become a trend in the entertainment and leisure sector. For example, “JuYingKa” shared rooms have launched projects supporting creative short videos, live commerce, and influencer incubation.
3. The Popularity of “Script Murder” and Home Games
During the pandemic, more people turned to home-based games to relieve stress and unwind, giving rise to a new “online interactive entertainment” sector. Among these, script murder games, Werewolf, and other highly social and interactive role-playing games have attracted significant attention from the post-90s and post-00s generations. Script murder games have become the third most popular offline entertainment after movies and fitness, with a user selection rate of 36.1%.
Thanks to early market education and the promotion of related TV programs, script murder has become a new form of entertainment. Technology integration, costume changes, and professional hosts have enhanced the immersive experience and social appeal, which are key factors in attracting and retaining users.
Fast-paced lifestyles have amplified the public’s demand for entertainment and social interaction, while prolonged home confinement has made offline immersive entertainment increasingly popular. Recently, Werewolf, script murder, board games, and VR experiences have gradually matured into an industry. Shared entertainment venues like JuYingKa have become a core platform for these activities. Leading brands such as DongFang Conan have emerged as industry favorites among entrepreneurs.
On the service provider side, comprehensive entertainment complexes like JuYingKa offer full support for entrepreneurs: DM + management academies, a vast library of scripts, full industry publishing, and online operational platforms. The academy provides DM training, operational management guidance, and professional instruction to improve host performance and scriptwriting abilities. Over 200 new scripts are available through a complete production-to-sales workflow. Online operational platforms facilitate room reservations, social interactions, and online gaming, integrating both offline and online entertainment experiences.
4. New Retail Driving Core Internet Business Models
The online new retail sector leverages the Internet to create innovative “online +” commercial models. With rapid technological development and e-commerce proliferation, online shopping has become a convenient and trendy way to purchase goods.
As e-commerce platform traffic slows and user engagement growth declines, online channels remain a crucial avenue for businesses to capture market share. During the pandemic, new business models accelerated as consumers developed online shopping habits. Physical retail businesses increasingly shifted online, while community group purchases, unmanned retail, contactless delivery, smart stores, online supermarkets, and live-stream retail quickly evolved. Innovative new retail formats continue to grow, presenting promising opportunities for entrepreneurs.