Parents splurge on freshmen

'Electronic products are a must' for new generation of college students

Duan Wei's parents have spared no expense to make sure she is prepared for college.

"Electronic products are a must nowadays, especially laptops," said the 18-year-old, whose family has spent at least 30,000 yuan ($4,730) on a Macbook, digital camera and other high-tech gadgets to help Duan with her studies.

"It's not about luxury, it's about good quality," insisted the freshman, who will begin the fall semester at Northeast Forestry University in Harbin.

Stores across China have seen a rush to buy electronic products in the run-up to the new school year, particularly among college students.

"Our sales soared dramatically in August," said Mao Shaoqing, spokesman for newegg.com.cn, the China arm of US online electronics retailer Newegg Inc.

Sales of laptops have seen the biggest increase, with prices of bestsellers ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 yuan.

"The best-selling cellphones are under 2,000 yuan, but iPhones have seen decent sales, too," Mao said.

Recommended News

Moldy burger found in McDonald's restaurant Motorola not approved to lay off workers Mercedes-Benz to recall 127 cars Air China plane turns back after 'threat' Pepsi can explosion severely injures boy A spate of road cave-ins in China, 2012 Bachelors seek love from billboard ad China's strategic missiles realize mobile launch  China's aircraft carrier begins 10th sea trial