Hongkou District government unveiled its three-year action plan for the high-quality development of the "Sweet Industry" at a ceremony held at the prestigious Henry Lester Institute of Technical Education on February 5.
During the event, Lu Ming, the District Director, awarded “Sweet Co-Creation Official” certificates to representatives from leading companies within the Sweet Industry Alliance, including Panasonic Appliances (China) Ltd., Shanghai Manlolan Enterprises Development Ltd., Xiamen International Bank Shanghai Hongkou Branch, Donghua Meizuan Co. Ltd., Yisheng Yishi Cultural Communication Ltd., and Shanghai Jahwa United Co. Ltd.
The alliance, designed to support Hongkou's growing "Sweet Industry," aims to create a competitive cluster that will lead the Yangtze River Delta and even the broader Chinese market. The plan encompasses five core objectives
It aims to comprehensive revitalize landmark areas in Hongkou. The district aims to transform key areas, such as the Rose Street, into a sweet district, creating a vibrant atmosphere and improving the city's tourism appeal.
It aims to achieve industry aggregation and regional leadership. Hongkou plans to become a leading hub for the "Sweet Industry" in the Yangtze River Delta, with a well-rounded industry chain and prominent clustering of companies.
It also aims to enhance the brand influence and market reach. The district seeks to elevate its brand influence, ensuring Hongkou is a key player in mainstream conversations, particularly in areas like tourism, social media, and influencer culture.
Hongkou intends to deeply explore its marriage culture and romantic heritage, embedding these values into the sweet industry to create high cultural and business value.
The district will focus on enhancing the commercial maturity of the sweet industry, increasing its overall economic impact.
According to the action plan, Hongkou aims to complete 26 tasks across four major categories in the next three years, focusing on industry aggregation, brand development, cultural renewal, and revenue growth.
The district plans to leverage its unique Tian’ai Road location, literally means the Sweet Love Lane, and other resources to create the go-to place for sweet-themed weddings, romantic tourism, and related commercial activities.
The plan includes the development of three iconic streetscapes, the establishment of a "Sweet Industry Core District", and two central hubs: a wedding banquet center and a sweet economy innovation center.
Hongkou will also introduce more multicultural elements into the sweet industry, develop new emerging industries around sweet themes, and create romantic tourism routes.
Plans are underway to design over 100 “Sweet Love” branded cultural and creative products, establish five sweet industry cultural hubs, and build 10 boutique wedding and tourism routes. By 2028, the goal is to establish 100 popular wedding and tourism destinations.
Additionally, the district plans to expand the Sweet Industry Alliance by recruiting 120 enterprises, including those involved in photography, catering, and wedding attire. The expansion aims to create a powerful industry matrix.
Through the collaboration with new IPs and live-streaming platforms, Hongkou intends to amplify its industry presence by organizing cross-industry events and live-streamed promotions.
Special events like "Sweet Culture Wedding Experience Weeks" and other romantic-themed activities will be held regularly to drive engagement.
As part of this initiative, Dewu aPP, a key member of the Sweet Industry Alliance, released an insightful analysis of consumer trends in love-themed products.
The China Society of Productivity Studies also outlined strategies to empower the "Sweet Industry" with new productivity forces for sustainable innovation and development in Hongkou.
With a well-established framework for growth, Hongkou's Sweet Industry Action Plan is poised to transform the district into a vibrant center for culture, business, and tourism, solidifying its reputation as a key part of Shanghai’s ambitious development goals, according to the district government.