The attention to standards, on one hand, arises from the competitive dynamics among enterprises, and on the other hand, from addressing the common pain points faced by the elderly during travel. As a well-known brand in the elderly shoe industry, Zuliz has been dedicated to creating quality products through high standards, aiming to enhance comfort and convenience in the lives of the elderly. Furthermore, the company consistently questions itself: “Can we enhance the quality of elderly shoes?”
Up to this day, throughout the design, manufacturing, and every stage leading to the final presentation of Zuliz products to consumers, the company has actively engaged in and established a total of 26 relevant standards. These standards include 1 national standard, 2 light industry standards, 13 group standards, and 10 enterprise standards, providing comprehensive support for product quality.
Transcending scale to break free from mediocrity, Zuliz redefines standards.
Rapid sales growth, a widespread sales network, sprawling industrial parks, and expansion into the Southeast Asian market… Over the past decade, Zuliz has overcome numerous challenges, marking milestone achievements and entering a phase of large-scale development. As Zuliz continues to grow, upholding standards and ensuring product quality serve as the foundation for its substantial assets.
On December 28, 2023, the national standard for “Elderly Shoes” was officially released, and it was implemented on July 1, 2024. This marked the first specialized footwear standard tailored for the elderly population in China. Leading the drafting of the national standard for “Elderly Shoes,” Zuliz’s dedication to product refinement has shifted from quantity to quality.
Within the national standard, Zuliz has integrated its ten years of experience and research achievements in the elderly shoe industry. The standard content balances scientific rationale and practicality. Various aspects such as design styles, sensory quality, physical mechanical performance, antibacterial properties, and odor control are systematically summarized and emphasized, with a focus on key indicators like slip resistance, warmth, and comfort.
Tired of bending over to put on shoes? Not a fan of tying shoelaces? Concerned about visibility during evening walks? In addition to universal functional metrics, the national standard for “Elderly Shoes” addresses diverse needs of the elderly population. For example, introducing adjustable fasteners to replace traditional laces, incorporating “step-in” designs for easy wearing, and adding reflective strips on the shoe surface for enhanced nighttime safety.
Zuliz’s involvement in setting two important standards within the light industry sector – “Guidelines for Age-Friendly Design of Household Products” and “General Design Requirements for Household Products for the Elderly” – demonstrates a focused approach towards elderly products. The former aims to guide production enterprises in meeting specific needs of the elderly in daily life through human-centered design, emphasizing the consideration of the physical characteristics and practical needs of the elderly during the design process. The latter presents a broader scope of product applicability, covering various domains.
For Zuliz’s elderly shoes, this means special attention to the foot shape, walking habits, and comfort needs of the elderly during the design phase. In winter 2023, an interview team visited Zuliz’s factory in Sui County, Henan, where under the guidance of founder Zhang Jingkang, the filming crew captured the entire process of “the birth of a pair of shoes.” The emphasis on the design of the shoes and the “professional elderly shoe last” focused on fitting the elderly foot shape, avoiding issues of being too narrow or too tight. Moreover, improvements were continuously made in the selection of sole and other materials to reduce the burden on the elderly while walking. Zhang Jingkang firmly believes that if a promise is made to consumers, one should give it their all.
Zuliz’s participation in the formulation of national and industry standards is not just about self-praise as a leader in the elderly shoe industry. It reflects a calm approach amidst market trends and steadfastness during the product line expansion process. This continual effort to enhance product quality strengthens the trust between the brand and consumers, ensuring products better meet the actual needs of the target consumer group.
With consumer demands becoming increasingly specialized, the formulation of standards has become more refined. Zuliz has established a series of distinctive product group standards including herbal walking shoes, mint-cooled shoes, graphene warm shoes, and Merino wool shoes. In addition to footwear, Zuliz has also developed specific standards for sock products such as health care socks and antifungal socks.
In 2024, Zuliz officially announced a collaborative partnership with the “Ping An Fu” IP to promote the unique cultural super category of “Leap Month Shoes.” This collaboration led to the development of the “Leap Month Shoes” group standard, centered around culture. Following the principle that standardization is key to enhancing the quality of elderly products, the brand’s development on the fast-paced road has taken more stable steps.
Zuliz also maintains a rigorous internal standard management system, with 10 enterprise standards currently in use, including travel shoes, waterproof shoes, and casual shoes. These standards are based on years of production experience at Zuliz, with some enterprise standards even surpassing basic national and industry requirements.
Putting the user at the center is Zuliz’s core philosophy. The company applies various standards to its product matrix to enhance product quality, benefit consumers, and drive growth effectively. Consumers can choose styles that best suit their needs and preferences, ensuring comfort and satisfaction.
Participating in the development of 26 standards over the past decade is Zuliz’s way of answering its own challenges and bridging the information gap while building trust with consumers. Standards, the elderly, elderly shoes, the aging industry, the silver economy… Zuliz consistently revolves around these dimensions, taking practical actions to promote a positive cycle of development. When faced with the common concern of consumers about whether “elderly shoes are getting better,” Zuliz always has a clear answer.
