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Amidst a whirlwind of youth entrepreneurship in China, the trend of opening sidewalk tiramisu stalls has swept across major and minor cities, creating a unique and fascinating business phenomenon. More than just a passing fad, selling tiramisu on the sidewalk has become a promising career option, attracting many people, especially those seeking supplemental income or a change of job.
The explosion of this trend has created a strong wave of people quitting their jobs, as many decide to venture into baking, using their free time to create delicious and attractive tiramisu, attracting a large number of customers. From small, compact car trunks, "resource-based" tiramisu quickly spread throughout the city, infiltrating every corner, and even peaceful towns and rural areas. This trend didn't stop at car trunks, but quickly transformed into mobile tiramisu stalls, springing up like mushrooms after the rain, creating a vibrant and colorful business landscape.
In recent years, many women in China have been opening tiramisu stalls to earn extra income outside of their regular working hours.
The spread of this trend is also clearly evident on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin, where tens of thousands of posts and videos with millions of views about selling tiramisu on the sidewalk are shared every day. A prominent slogan on social media has become a symbol of this trend: "Life is not just about 8 hours in the office, but also about sidewalk tiramisu…", reflecting the yearning for freedom and entrepreneurial passion of Chinese youth.
According to information from the website 163.com, a real-life interview in Chengdu, China, revealed impressive figures about the income of a tiramisu vendor. With a selling price of 21-25 yuan (approximately 74,000-88,000 VND) per slice, selling around 60 portions at a time brings in over 30,000 yuan (approximately 105 million VND) per month. If you consider the 50% profit margin, as the vendor claims, and without the cost of renting a space, this figure is truly attractive. Just standing and selling for a few hours each day earns far more than an office job, making many people envious and eager to try their hand at it.
The success of the street tiramisu trend not only reflects a shift in consumer trends but also demonstrates the dynamism and adaptability of Chinese people in the face of new business opportunities. They have transformed familiar streets into "tiramisu havens," offering consumers unique and exciting culinary experiences while opening up a promising entrepreneurial path for passionate and creative individuals.
This is a unique opportunity for young people to earn money.
Although the trend of setting up sidewalk tiramisu stalls is creating a sensation across Chinese streets, the reality of the business is far from the glamorous advertisements on social media. Behind the attractive income figures lie countless difficulties and challenges that vendors face.
One of the biggest problems is the volatility of raw material prices. Mascarpone, the main ingredient in tiramisu, is becoming expensive and scarce due to a surge in demand. Prices can double, even leading to supply disruptions, putting many vendors in a difficult situation. Some even jokingly suggest, "This wave of street tiramisu is definitely orchestrated by the mascarpone supplier!"
Even more surprisingly, ladyfinger biscuits, a seemingly simple ingredient, are increasing in price. This suggests that many newcomers to the industry have opted for the easier path of buying ready-made biscuits instead of making them themselves, leading to a chaotic market and fiercer competition.
The "get rich quick" videos on social media often ignore a harsh reality: street vending is a profession where you "live off the weather." Weather plays a crucial role in a vendor's revenue. A common saying is: "A gust of wind reduces sales by half, a downpour wipes everything out!" Extremely cold or hot weather affects customer demand, heavy rain forces vendors to stop selling, and even light rain causes headaches. Experienced vendors say that the number of days with ideal weather for selling is only about half a year. Therefore, the initial dream revenue is often halved, or even lower.
Sellers face many challenges, from raw materials to weather conditions.
If you choose to sell at organized markets, the cost is also a significant burden. Booth rental fees range from 200-300 yuan per day (approximately 700,000 VND), and in some places, it can reach thousands of yuan (approximately 3.5 million VND). On the other hand, if you choose to sell spontaneously on the roadside, vendors face many risks, from being chased away to fierce competition.
High risks and high costs are also challenges that young entrepreneurs need to be aware of.
Recently, competition in the street-side tiramisu industry has become more intense than ever. On the same street, 3-4 different tiramisu stalls spring up, leading to price wars and fierce competition for selling space. Furthermore, unethical competitive tactics such as online defamation, copying product ideas, and even blatant "borrowing" of brand names and stall layouts are becoming increasingly common. This malicious competition not only harms vendors but also detracts from the beauty and sophistication of the night market.
Nevertheless, it's undeniable that street vending provides job opportunities for young people and enriches the world of pastries.
Despite facing numerous challenges and difficulties, it's undeniable that the street food trend has created valuable job opportunities for young people and enriched the colorful world of pastries. The creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of these vendors have generated unique business models, offering consumers novel and exciting culinary experiences.
Inspired by the success of street-side tiramisu, many other innovative business models have emerged, such as mobile bread carts. The boom in street vending is also linked to a turbulent social context. With jobs scarce and retail businesses struggling, street vending has become an economic lifeline for many. Simultaneously, the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have fueled a desire for outdoor spaces and experiences closer to nature and community.
