The Hub, a popular shopping complex in the Hongqiao International CBD. [Photo/WeChat ID: minhangnews]
With a bustling transport hub and popular shopping complexes, Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District (CBD) is emerging as a premier shopping destination for travelers, aiming to become Shanghai's "first stop for consumption".
Key complexes in the CBD like the Hub and the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Center are converting passenger traffic into a sustained flow of economic activity.
The Hub, located near a high-speed railway station with over a million daily visitors, offers unique shopping experiences, including the world's largest second-hand luxury goods warehouse. This has become a hotspot for young Korean tourists, thanks to China's visa-free policy for South Koreans.
The area is home to over 30 national and regional first-of-their-kind stores. This focus on the "first store" economy has helped The Hub attract visitors from various regions and establish itself as a major shopping destination.
The Hub's underground urban service corridor also offers conveniences such as luggage storage and cultural showcases, aiming to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more. Business travelers now stay 2.5 to 3 hours on average, about 1 hour longer than previous data showed.
The Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Center, a platform for extending the spillover effects of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), connects consumers with products from over 120 countries. The center's Hongqiao International Coffee Harbor has become a top choice for coffee companies looking to set up operations in Shanghai.
The Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Center helps turn CIIE exhibits into products. [Photo/WeChat ID: minhangnews]
