Shanghai Unveils 'Love Shopping Shanghai' Campaign To Attract Global Consumers

Shanghai has embarked on an ambitious initiative to elevate its status as a global hub for international shoppers. The city's latest campaign, "Love Shopping Shanghai," aims to enhance foreign spending by offering a blend of convenience, diverse experiences, and the latest trends. This move is part of the broader 5th Shanghai "Double Five" shopping festival, which officially began this Wednesday, as reported by China Central Television.

The launch of the "Love Shopping Shanghai" international friendly handbook marks a significant step towards achieving this goal. The handbook details the city's offerings, including easy payment solutions, a variety of experiential activities, and popular exhibitions. It also provides recommendations for dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment. In a notable development, 14 malls received the "International Friendly Mall" title at the ceremony.

Ye Yifan, executive director of the New World Daimaru Department Store in Shanghai, highlighted the success of their departure tax refund initiative. "Our departure tax refunds have increased nearly tenfold compared to last year," he stated. The store plans to introduce new brands and services to further facilitate cross-border payments and tax refunds for international shoppers.

Yin Qin, deputy general manager of Bailian Outlets, shared insights into the foreign consumer market. "Foreign consumption accounts for about 30 percent of our mall," he noted. The outlet is looking to expand its services to include more foreign languages to cater to a diverse clientele.

Financial institutions and transportation authorities are also contributing to this initiative. Zhang Xinyuan, deputy general manager of the Bank of China Shanghai Branch, revealed partnerships with over 300 businesses to offer exclusive departure tax refund services. These services are available for instant refunds at 13 popular shopping malls.

Furthermore, Shanghai's major airports are enhancing the travel experience for international visitors. Zhao Haibo, vice president of the Shanghai Airport Group, announced the launch of in-terminal coffee culture festivals, shopping discounts, and payment-based price reductions specifically designed for passengers.

The campaign is not just limited to local efforts; it extends its promotional activities overseas to draw more international visitors. Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, emphasized the importance of attracting foreign consumption not only during festivals but throughout the year. "During the recent May Day holiday, foreign consumption accounted for nearly half of the total," Liu stated.

The Double Five shopping festival was initiated in May 2020 as part of China's strategy to rejuvenate consumer confidence and stimulate domestic spending. With these concerted efforts, Shanghai is poised to redefine itself as an attractive destination for international shoppers seeking new experiences and trends.

With inputs from WAM