Chinese consumers scout lower prices, secondhand goods as spending sputters

But these days, stagnating wages, youth unemployment and a years-long property crisis are making consumers rethink their spending. China's leaders will likely announce policies aimed at boosting domestic consumption at the annual Two Sessions political conclave this week, but they face an uphill battle. "Everyone is feeling the pinch financially, so everyone is looking for cheaper stuff," said Liu, a 42-year-old secondhand book buyer visiting the Shanghai store. A longstanding taboo in Chinese culture against used goods...