This summer, museums are bustling with visitors, making tickets scarce and boosting sales of creative cultural products. The Shanghai Museum's popular ancient Egyptian exhibition, for instance, has merchandise flying off shelves, with fans proudly displaying their "Egyptian exhibition spoils" online.

However, not every museum's creative products are selling well. Some online stores see minimal sales, highlighting a need to rethink what appeals to consumers. The issue? Lack of originality. From generic "cultural ice cream" to common fridge magnets, the lack of uniqueness is a turn-off. When visitors find the same souvenirs everywhere, it's disappointing.

The charm of cultural products lies in their novelty. Take the small cat fridge magnet from the Shanghai Museum—add a removable mask, and it's a hit. It's about being interesting yet unique, like the creative products from the Forbidden City that earn praise and sales.

Young consumers seek more than just a product; they want a vibe. For example, the "Green Horse" from Gansu Provincial Museum, with its playful grin, has become a must-have. It's a fresh twist on tradition that resonates with youth, showing emotional value sells.

Therefore, museums must tap into what consumers truly desire. Understanding and developing innovative designs is the real challenge. At the same time, Originality is a treasure that deserves legal protection. If imitators profit from innovators' efforts, who will continue creating? Let's value and safeguard the uniqueness that makes cultural products shine.

I'm Ms Y, sharing stories in China with you.

Reporter Yan Yiqi

Intern Qin Yuanyuan, Wu Mian