“In the future, this will be the main business“ — the silver economy’s trend, some have seen it, some have exited.

The 2026 Shanghai Book Fair has come to a close, but discussions about “reading” are far from over. Co-created by Shanghai People’s Radio Station and the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, the “Silver Economy Reception Room” made its debut at the Shanghai Book Fair’s “Reading Life · Enjoying Jing’an” themed sharing session, facilitating cross-sector exchanges on topics such as cultural supply for silver-age living, entertainment consumption upgrades, and industry innovation empowerment.

Recognizing the vast silver-age readership, this year’s book fair introduced for the first time a silver-age service micro-space, combining reading, experience, and policy consultation to help silver-age readers “walk easily, see clearly, and browse longer.” Beyond the book fair, the scene of silver-haired reading is expanding and its methods are changing. Du Niqian, co-founder of Angu Technology, shared:“We are actually already working with some institutions on offline course content. Every Tuesday at the Xintiao Bookstore on the North Bund, we read books with the elderly about end-of-life care and how to live longer.”

From reading a book together to reading a lifestyle together, Zhu Xudong, co-founder of EJU China, who created a silver-haired version of a talent show, has redefined silver-haired reading through action.“It’s not just about reading books. I now read age by observing people. Last year, through the talent show competition, I got to know it, the electric wind instrument. It’s very popular. In the auditions across 16 districts, half of the contestants in each district played this instrument.”

Cultural and entertainment consumption is upgrading, and traditional business formats are transforming accordingly. Li Huirong, general manager of Oriental Shopping, introduced that this TV shopping platform favored by the elderly is turning its studio into a training ground for the silver-haired group.“Our users are particularly interested in courses on self-media, modeling, hosting, short videos, and AI. Our teachers are our own employees, professional video, directing, and makeup staff.”

“Can I say that you’re just not doing your proper job right now?”

“In the future, this will be the proper job. Following consumer demand is never a bad move.”

Where there is demand, there is a market. Yang Yuming, director of the Education Department of the Senior University in Jing’an District, said that in the first half of this year, the school opened 338 classes, serving over 7,400 senior citizens. Behind these impressive numbers lies the strain on course supply, which urgently needs to connect with more resources.“Seniors born in the 1960s and 1970s have joined the senior university. Many are college graduates with strong spending power and cultural literacy, and their pursuit of self-fulfillment is notably stronger than that of previous generations of elderly friends. Enterprises have advantages in industry, venues, and scientific research that a senior university alone may not be able to cover.”

Enterprises are quick to respond, with products iterating rapidly. On site, Ruiair Medical Technology linked a consumable-free, low-energy air purification and disinfection device to silver-haired reading with great coherence.“We focus on the water and food of the elderly, but often overlook their air health. I can turn your reading space into an environment of natural oxygen bar level.”

Shanghai Weikang Artificial Intelligence is upgrading to full-media services in the rapidly heating AI memoir field.“We have made memoirs for hundreds of elderly people, also helping them create an AI video of their life and build a personal webpage for them.”