The flower industries in south China's Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are ushering in a peak sales season of the year thanks to a Mother's Day surge.
Retail and wholesale florists in both Guangdong and Guangxi saw significant increases in sales on Sunday -- the Mother's Day, which is seen as the start of a peak season for the flower business.
In the tech hub of Shenzhen in Guangdong, carnations, roses and Chinese peonies are the most popular among customers this year, and many local florists saw a boost to their transactions from the large shopping crowds.
"Sales here have been three to five times of that on an ordinary day. We have done all the work to make bouquets in advance. We expect 150 to 300 orders [today]," said Chen Qi, manager of a flower shop in the city's Nanshan District.
Zhou Yingqin, a wholesaler, said pink flowers are in hot demand particularly so far this year and the prices of many varieties have surged as a result.
"Flower prices will basically stay where they are throughout May because of the back-to-back holidays -- the Mother's Day and the May 20 Day (a romantic day seen by couples in China). I expect the demand to exceed supply," said Zhou, who is also in Nanshan District.
As May 12 also marks the International Nurses Day, various flower wholesale markets in Nanning, the regional capital of Guangxi, were bustling with activity as demand for fresh-cut flowers soared. And as in Guangdong, the prices of carnations and Chinese peonies in the city have also surged.
"Because of the coincidence of the Mother's Day and the International Nurses Day, sales are bound to surge, tripling or even quadrupling. We expect to sell hundreds of, even 1,000 bouquets [today]," said a local flower shop manager surnamed Tang.
Another said her shop offers a wider selection of flower arrangements this year, given the increasing demand.
"There has been a 10-percent increase in orders so far this year compared with previous years. Purple and pink flowers are very popular this year," she said.
Mother's Day surge drives flower industry boom in south China
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
