Meaning:

Once you make a purchase at a shop, either online or in a brick-and-mortar store, the business will happily offer you a VIP (very important person) membership. However, becoming a VIC (very important client) has a much higher threshold. The term, often used in the service and luxury industries, refers to the segment of customers who represent 1% of the world’s population and yet hold much of the world’s wealth: lawyers, heiresses, board members, entrepreneurs, crypto investors or tech tycoons — wealthy people from all over the world and of all ages, from baby boomers to Gen Z. Brands have discovered that big spenders can actively contribute to the bottom line. For instance, Dior’s VICs typically spend at least US$100,000 a year with the brand.

Example:

A: 听说你跳槽到路威酩轩了？

Tīngshuō nǐtiàocáo dào lùwēi mǐngxuān le？

Did you find a new job with LVMH?

B: 是的，现在我负责纪梵希的VIC客户开发。

Shì de，xiànzài wǒ fùzé jìfànxī de VICkèhù kāifā。

Yes, now I’m responsible for cultivating new VIC relationships for Givenchy.