Young Chinese shoppers like Zhong are still spending freely, and major brands ranging from Nike Inc. to Barbie doll maker Mattel Inc. are courting them eagerly to shore up revenue as demand elsewhere slumps.

Sixty-two percent of households with children have postponed non-grocery purchases, compared to 52 percent of childless households in the same income bracket, according to the “Competing in a Transforming Economy 4.0: The New Equilibrium” study.

American youngsters who can Twitter, text, blog and download with ease are downright clueless when it comes to old-school chores like balancing a checkbook or understanding retirement savings.