Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Chinese Entrepreneur Builds Profitable Business Around Professional Back-Scratching
A Chinese entrepreneur named Zhang started a business where workers gently scratch customers’ backs and other body parts.
He got the idea after seeing a video of someone scratching another person’s back.
It also reminded him of how his father helped him fall asleep by scratching his back.
Customers lie down in a setup similar to a massage parlour.
A one-hour session costs 300 yuan, or about ₹4,410.
Zhang says the service can help people relax, reduce stress and sleep better.
His two shops together earn about 100,000 yuan in gross revenue each month.
Some people are curious about trying it, while others wonder whether it is worth the price.
Zhang hopes to open 100 shops across China.
Zhang opened two Suma outlets in Shenzhen, China, within two months.
Customers pay 300 yuan, about ₹4,410, for a one-hour session.
The service aims to help people relax, reduce stress and potentially sleep better.
The two outlets generate about 100,000 yuan, or ₹14.7 lakh, in monthly gross revenue.
Zhang hopes to open 100 outlets across China and make scratching a recognised profession.
- Who
- Chinese entrepreneur Zhang and the staff at his Suma outlets.
- What
- A paid professional back-scratching and relaxation service.
- When
- The first outlet opened in May, followed by a second outlet one month later; Zhang developed the idea after seeing a video last year.
- Where
- Baoan District and Futian District in Shenzhen, China.
- Why
- Zhang says the service is intended to help customers unwind, reduce stress and potentially sleep better.
Curious Customers
Skeptical Observers
Value of the service
Curious Customers
Some Chinese social-media users said they were curious to try professional scratching, and some repeat customers described it as more relaxing than a conventional massage.
Skeptical Observers
Other users questioned whether people would pay 300 yuan for one hour of professional itch-scratching.
Business potential
Curious Customers
Zhang says the service meets demand in stressful cities and plans to expand it into a recognised profession with 100 outlets.
Skeptical Observers
Because the sector has no established industry standards, Zhang had to develop the techniques himself, leaving the long-term business potential uncertain.
- Business name
- Suma
- Locations
- Baoan District and Futian District, Shenzhen
- Price
- 300 yuan, approximately ₹4,410, per hour
- Monthly gross revenue
- About 100,000 yuan, approximately ₹14.7 lakh, from both outlets
- Customer profile
- Men make up roughly 70 per cent of customers
- Business status
- The outlets have reached break-even and started making a profit
- Expansion plan
- Zhang hopes to open 100 outlets across China