China's box office revenue for this year's summer movie season, which spans from June 1 to Aug 31, had surpassed 9.3 billion yuan (about 1.3 billion U.S. dollars) as of 16:18 Monday.
The top three films leading the box office chart are blockbuster comedy "Successor", crime thriller "A Place Called Silence” and drama "Moments We Shared".
The summer moviegoing period is the longest single screening season on the Chinese mainland. In 2023, the summer box office totaled 20.6 billion yuan (about 2.88 billion U.S. dollars).
In addition to watching the latest movies, moviegoers in Nanchang City, east China's Jiangxi Province, can also invite friends or join online groups to request special screenings of previously released films at local cinemas.
"Some less popular or classic films are rarely shown in cinemas, but we can still watch these classics through this customized service," said Deng Di, a local resident.
Since the customized service was launched in March 2023, it has been implemented at more than 4,000 cinemas, with 15,000 screenings of 66 films required by moviegoers. Besides movies, recorded operas and dramas were also screened at over 300 screening venues in 24 cities during the just-concluded 2024 NCPA (National Center for the Performing Arts) International Opera Film Exhibition, which ran from May 20 to July 31.
"We brought some of our own operas, dance dramas, and modern plays to the cinema. This year's exhibition had the largest scale and the highest film presentation quality, with relatively high attendance rates," said Sun Di, deputy director of the film and television program production department of the NCPA.
China's 2024 summer box office surpasses 9.3 billion yuan
As China's elderly population grows, shopping malls in Shanghai have actively adapted part of their services to cater to the needs and preferences of elderly consumers, tapping into silver-haired consumer market.
This trend reflects the city's efforts to enhance elderly care services amid the population aging. By the end of 2023, people aged 60 and older reached 5.68 million in Shanghai, representing a whopping 37.4 percent of the city's total population.
A shopping mall on the downtown Nanjing East Road pedestrian street has opened a dedicated club for senior citizens, offering a diverse range of activities from the operation of health workshops to traditional handicraft classes.
"I gain a lot every time I come here. I can participate in various club activities and also exchange knowledge and everyday life hacks with others," said Fu Meilin, an elderly resident.
The mall houses nearly 60 time-honored brands, along with dining and entertainment options suited to senior citizens.
Another business district in Shanghai's Putuo District has adopted a different approach, focusing on attracting retirees during weekdays while catering to younger shoppers on weekends.
Restaurants offer affordable off-peak meal deals priced under 100 yuan (about 13.88 U.S. dollars), attracting a large number of senior customers.
To ensure a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience for the elderly, many shopping malls have conducted age-friendly renovations, including providing comfortable seating areas, accessible restrooms, and consumer guidance services for the elderly shoppers.
Driven by the population aging, China's "silver economy" has shown vast growth potential, with the market currently estimated at around seven trillion yuan and projected to reach a 30 trillion yuan by 2035.
Shopping malls in Shanghai adapt to cater to growing 'silver economy'
