Various celebrations are being staged across China in anticipation of the fast-approaching New Year's Day and the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, or Spring Festival, boosting the market for related goods as more revelers get into the festive spirit.
In Beijing, more than 1,000 lanterns themed around fashion and technology are offering a colorful display in the city's Wenyuhe Park, making it one of the largest lantern festivals in the city this year.
In Shanghai, business districts have launched a series of themed decorations, exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities. Local authorities have also distributed consumption coupons, further stimulating consumer spending during the New Year's Day holiday, which falls on Wednesday.
In the nearby city of Hangzhou in the eastern Zhejiang Province, several promotional activities have been introduced to boost consumption. Additionally, business areas and shopping streets have been upgraded to meet the consumer demand for high-quality goods.
Special Spring Festival fairs have also been set up across the country as Chinese people gear up for their largest annual celebration around the Chinese New Year, which lands at the end of January in 2025.
In Huaiyuan County of east China's Anhui Province, a local fair is attracting visitors with a variety of well-known agricultural products. In Zhangzhou City of the coastal Fujian Province, a one-stop feature fair allows both visitors and locals to purchase a wide range of items.
Meanwhile, in northeast China's Jilin Province, local authorities in the city of Ji'an have sought to take advantage of the snowy conditions by integrating winter sports, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a range of snow and ice activities while shopping for Spring Festival goods.
Additionally, flowers are in high demand at many marketplaces across China as more people look to prepare some floral decorations as part of the celebrations.
In Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province, a special flower street featuring Chinese New Year flowers has been set up, where over 15,000 flowers are available, including more than 120 varieties of orchids.
Local flower markets area also in full bloom in various other places, from the northern cities of Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan to Hetian in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, all offering a wide variety of creative and unique flowers, which have been well received by residents.
New Year celebrations help boost market for festive goods
With the traditional Spring Festival holiday just around the corner, commercial districts across China are upgrading comprehensive shopping malls and innovating models of marketing to attract consumers.
As the New Year began on Wednesday, a groundbreaking commercial complex opened in the small town of Xingjie, southwest China's Yunnan Province.
This is the first comprehensive shopping center ever built in a rural township in the province, covering over 30,000 square meters.
The center features a shopping mall, specialty streets, and a farmers' market, offering buyers a convenient "one-stop shopping" experience and injecting new life into the local community.
"This has brought a lot of convenience and efficiency to our lives, and there are so many more shopping options now," said Wu Yutian, a local resident.
While new commercial hubs in rural areas are going all out to boost sales, cities are also seeing transformations in their retail landscapes.
In Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, the historic People's Paradise has undergone a modern renovation.
With a 14-meter-high transparent wall, 24 rotating screens, and concert-level lighting and sound systems, the nearly 1,000-square-meter atrium creates a festive atmosphere for the New Year.
"I was completely amazed when I walked in. It doesn't feel like a shopping mall at all -- it has a mix of classical charm and modern technology," said Ma, a local resident.
People's Paradise, a 100-year-old landmark in Wuhan, has been revitalized with restored towers, light shows, and a newly added cultural theater, transforming the historical site into a popular social media hotspot for visitors. The digital upgrades also provide social spaces for shoppers.
"These elements are stylish and modern. We believe they will be well-received by the market. They enrich our new consumption scenarios and align with current consumer trends," said Tian Jin, general manager of Wuhan Cultural Tourism Group's Urban Landscape Company.
Many brands are choosing to open their flagship stores in key commercial districts to maximize visibility. For instance, at the Chunxi Road Business Area in Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, a new commercial complex has been developed by local companies, featuring over 200 trendy online brands and collaborations with top-tier domestic toy and plush brands, establishing a new type of fashion retail space.
In Ningbo City of east China's Zhejiang Province, a newly opened shopping center has created an urban cultural space filled with art. Visitors can explore various artistic installations, and the center has attracted 23 flagship stores, with more than 60 percent of them being first-time entries for the Zhejiang market.
In Shanghai, several shopping malls have made "debut" their key selling points. A mall in Jing'an District has introduced the global debut of a French artist's exhibition, alongside several brands making their first appearance in either Shanghai or China. This includes five national first stores and 20 Shanghai first stores, offering shoppers a truly exclusive experience.
Across China, these dynamic new commercial spaces are not only meeting the evolving demands of consumers but are also playing a pivotal role in driving the country's economic growth.
New commercial hubs spark consumption growth across China
