Typically, people scratch themselves or ask a family member to scratch their back when they feel an itch. However, in China, one man has turned this everyday need into a business by opening a specialized 'itch scratching shop.'
In this establishment, employees use special sharp nails to slowly scratch the backs and bodies of clients. Notably, the monthly income from his two shops amounts to about 100,000 yuan, which is equivalent to approximately 14–15 lakh rupees.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, 32-year-old Zhang Xiaociao, who resides in southern China, launched this unusual business. He opened a shop that provides itch relief services.
The atmosphere in the shop resembles a massage center. Clients lie face down on a couch, while employees, wearing specially designed nails, gently scratch their bodies. The service costs 300 yuan per hour, which is about 3,500 rupees.
The purpose of this service is not only to relieve itching. Zhang claims that it helps people reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality. Sometimes clients request scratching specific body areas, and employees perform this slowly. During sessions, clients sometimes start laughing.
In Zhang's opinion, life in large Chinese cities is very stressful, so he believes there is demand for his service. Both men and women visit his establishments, although about 70 percent of clients are men. Some visitors even told Zhang that this itch scratching service seems more relaxing to them than a massage, prompting them to return.
For Zhang, what makes this business special is that a stable model for such a service did not previously exist in China. He had to study himself how to scratch correctly, what pressure to apply, and what technique would bring the most relief to the client.
This unique idea allowed Zhang to start earning a good income. Together, his two locations generate about 100,000 yuan monthly, which is roughly equivalent to 14–15 lakh rupees in gross revenue. Zhang notes that both branches have covered their expenses and have now started making a profit. Thus, what initially seemed like a joke has become a full-fledged source of income for him.
Zhang did not start his business for the first time. He is originally from Hubei province in China. After graduating from college, he tried seven different jobs in one year. Before turning 30, he founded two cross-border e-commerce companies, but neither achieved the expected success. He then worked in social media content, or 'V-media', but didn't achieve much breakthrough there either.
Only last year, while scrolling through short videos on social media, he came across one clip. In it, a woman was scratching her husband's back. Zhang noticed that many comments indicated a willingness to pay for such a service. That is when the new idea struck him. This video also reminded Zhang of a childhood memory: his father often scratched his back, which brought him great relief and helped him sleep soundly.
He decided that if a person doesn't have to constantly rely on a family member to scratch their back, but can instead receive a professional service, people would likely pay for it. With this thought, the itch scratching shop was opened.
Currently, Zhang does not want to be limited to two shops; his goal is to open 100 locations across the country. But his dream is not just about money. He wants itch scratching to become a service and profession that people recognize as a real job.
Therefore, he is often asked, 'Can itch scratching be a real job?' Zhang's answer lies in the success of his business. Currently, Zhang's two shops are operating, clients continue to return, and the business has reached a level of profitability after covering expenses. It remains to be seen how far this unusual idea of Zhang will spread in other Chinese cities and whether 'itch scratching' will become a recognized profession in the future.