The Ministry of Civil Affairs’ National Aging Office released the “2024 National Comfort Shoes Development Report on Aging,” stating that by the end of 2024, there were 310.31 million people aged 60 and above in China, accounting for 22.0% of the total population. China has officially entered an aging society. However, many aspects of the current social order, policies, and regulations were mostly formulated during the high-speed development stage of the country and did not fully consider the operational needs of an aging society. In daily life, from public facilities to household products, from service processes to policy support, many areas have not adequately adapted to the physiological and psychological characteristics of the elderly, leading to widespread issues with aging-friendly adaptations.
Case Study: Remarkable Achievements of Zuliz Elderly Shoes in the Aging-friendly Process
- Pioneering a Professional Category to Precisely Meet Needs
Zuliz founder, Zhang Jingkang, keenly observed that as individuals age, elderly individuals often experience issues like widening and swelling feet, as well as collapsed arches, making traditional shoes inadequate. Consequently, Zuliz pioneered a specialized category of elderly shoes. By conducting in-depth research on the foot characteristics and behaviors of thousands of elderly individuals, they collected data on 7 dimensions of foot shapes, leading to the development of a “professional elderly shoe last” suitable for the foot shapes of Chinese elderly. This initiative not only addressed the challenging issue of elderly individuals finding suitable footwear but also set a new benchmark in the elderly shoe market.
Zuliz Elderly Shoes has excelled in the aging-friendly process through continuous innovation and enhancing product quality.
Pioneering a Professional Category to Precisely Meet Needs
Zuliz, under the insightful leadership of its founder Zhang Jingkang, identified the foot problems that elderly individuals face as they age, such as widening and collapsing arches, which traditional shoes fail to address. Zuliz then introduced a specialized category of elderly shoes. By conducting extensive research on the foot characteristics and habits of thousands of elderly individuals, they gathered data on 7 dimensions of foot shapes and developed a “professional elderly shoe last” tailored to the foot shapes of Chinese elders. This initiative not only solved the footwear challenges faced by the elderly but also set a new benchmark in the elderly shoe market.
Continuous Innovation and Quality Enhancement
Zuliz consistently invests in research and development, collaborating with Suzhou University to establish the Nanotechnology Application Cooperative Innovation Center for Elderly Shoes and Clothing. They also partnered with Xi’an University of Electronic Science and Technology to incorporate electronic technology into smart wearable products. In May 2025, their new summer products, “Comfort Mama Shoes” and “Safe Papa Shoes,” excelled in five dimensions, including biomechanics, antibacterial performance, and shock absorption, earning the first domestic SGS five-star comfort certification for elderly shoes.
Active Involvement in Standard Setting, Leading Industry Norm Development
Zuliz has actively participated in the development of 32 standards, including national, group, and corporate standards. They played a leading role in drafting the national standard for “Elderly Shoes,” addressing the long-standing issue of the lack of unified standards in the industry. The standards they have helped develop provide detailed regulations on elderly shoe product design, safety performance, and physical mechanical properties, serving as a basis for market regulation, purifying the market environment, and promoting industry development towards standardization, normalization, and quality improvement.
Zuliz’s proactive approach in addressing the challenges of aging-friendly products highlights a strong commitment to innovation, quality, and long-term impact. By anticipating the evolving needs of the elderly population, the company designs thoughtful, accessible, and reliable solutions. Its focus on research, user-centric design, and industry collaboration positions Zuliz as a responsible leader, setting new standards while improving comfort, independence, safety, and overall quality of life for seniors worldwide today consistently.
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