Shanghai celebrated the New Year with a retail surge, with average daily spending hitting 12.2 billion yuan ($1.74 billion) during the holiday. This marks a 2.5 percent increase from the previous year.
The Hongqiao International CBD was a standout area, thanks to the newly opened Hongqiao Qianwan Incity Mega and the excitement of the Robotex Asia Finals.
The Hongqiao Qianwan Incity Mega on its opening day. [Photo/WeChat ID: minhangnews]
Hongqiao Qianwan Incity Mega mall attracted over 140,000 visitors each day, making it one of the most popular shopping centers in Shanghai during the festive period. The mall featured an exhibition based on the blockbuster hit "Zootopia 2" as well as pop-up stores, drawing eager crowds.
The mall is home to many first-time, flagship, and custom concept stores. Notable openings included the Japanese apparel brand Global Work, which marks its first location on the Chinese mainland, the nationwide debut of restaurant Bocca by Ribone, and Minhang district's first Dome Climber's Camp location and first IMAX laser cinema.
Over 15,000 competitors take part in Robotex in Shanghai on Jan 2-3. [Photo/WeChat ID: hongqiaoshangwuqu]
The Robotex Asia Finals, held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), turned the venue into a tech-filled wonderland. The event drew over 15,000 participants from countries like South Korea, Finland, and Estonia.
It leveraged the "ticket economy" to convert participation into collectible souvenirs and boosted local consumption in hotels, dining, and shopping.
