Recently, the China Light Industry Information Center announced the evaluation results of the competitiveness of key enterprises in the shoe manufacturing industry. Zuliz Elderly Industry Development Co., Ltd. was listed among the top ten key enterprises. This achievement not only showcases the comprehensive strength of the Zuliz brand and its exceptional performance in the elderly industry sector but also validates the leading position of the Zuliz brand within the light industry sector. The list was compiled by the China Light Industry Information Center based on the evaluation system for the competitiveness of key enterprises in various light industry sectors, considering factors such as main business income, total profits, profit margin, and growth rate of main business income.
At the recent tenth-anniversary gratitude ceremony held by Zuliz, the release of the top ten key enterprises list serves as a perfect report card presented by Zuliz to the industry. Founded in 2015, Zuliz was established when its founder identified the essential need for elderly footwear and recognized the market lacked a specific category for “elderly shoes.”
Over the span of ten years, Zuliz has successfully established the category recognition of Zuliz = elderly shoes and has filled a significant void in the elderly shoe industry. With the exacerbation of an aging society, the market for elderly shoes continues to expand. According to the 2024 “China Silver Economy Development Report” by Sullivan, the market size of elderly shoes reached 819.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach 1121.3 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6.5%. The industry requires leading enterprises like Zuliz to accumulate strength and guide the industry towards high-quality development.
Zuliz has been recognized multiple times in the industry for its dedication to the elderly supplies field. In September 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the “2024 Catalog of Elderly Supplies Product Promotion,” and Zuliz’s graphene warm shoes, mint cool shoes, and odor-reducing cooling sports pants were successfully selected. This marks the third time Zuliz’s products have received such an honor, following the success of the walking shoes in 2022 and the woolen shoes and mother shoes in 2023, showcasing the company’s continuous efforts and achievements in product research and innovation.
By deeply understanding issues related to foot deformities, walking patterns, and wearing habits of the elderly, Zuliz starts from the details of its products, continuously optimizing product design. For example, using new materials to give the winter graphene warm shoes far-infrared heating functionality, improving the problem of elderly bending over to put on shoes through the heel design of the shoe horn, and addressing foot odor issues through the antimicrobial function of the insole. Good products truly shine in the details, meeting the daily needs of the elderly and earning widespread trust and praise in the market.
Furthermore, in December 2024, Zuliz was honored with the 2024 “Duanzhen Leather and Shoe Science and Technology Award” for technological innovation. This award aims to commend organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions in scientific research, technological innovation and development, application and dissemination of scientific and technological achievements, and the industrialization of new technologies. It is the highest award in the leather and shoe industry in China authorized by the national government.
Zuliz Founder Zhang Jingkang recently mentioned at the brand’s tenth-anniversary celebration that Zuliz will continue to pursue the strategy of “elderly shoes + elder gifts,” staying true to its original mission and values. The company remains customer-centric, focusing on developing products that truly meet the needs of its users.
It is reported that Zuliz is expanding its brand into the elderly food industry, launching the Zuliz Elderly Living City project in 2024. By centering around “health,” they have developed a range of products such as organic mixed grains, organic iron rod Chinese yam, and chicken inner gold Chinese yam Poria cake. These products are developed based on a profound understanding of the dietary characteristics and nutritional needs of the elderly. With a strong brand influence and a wide customer base in the elderly supplies market, Zuliz’s expansion into the elderly food industry not only meets the needs of existing customers but also attracts new consumers’ attention. This diversification of the brand’s development strategy sets the stage for the next strategic decade, demonstrating a wise and forward-thinking approach.
From a strategic perspective, entering the elderly food industry is an important step for Zuliz as it seeks to embark on its second growth curve. This cross-sector endeavor also provides a transformational blueprint for other traditional manufacturing companies on how to leverage their core resources, align with changing market demands, and explore new development directions that suit their strengths.
In the future, Zuliz is poised to continue leading in the silver economy blue ocean. Faced with vast user demands and promising market prospects, as long as they maintain keen market insights and innovative spirit, they are bound to steadily advance, capturing more market share and gaining user recognition. By continually enhancing products and services, expanding business scope, and deepening brand influence, Zuliz can not only meet the needs of existing customers but also attract new consumers, collectively creating a better experience for elderly living.
