During the 2025 Chinese New Year, Hongkou District experienced a surge in both foot traffic and sales, marking a season of economic prosperity for the area.
According to data from the Hongkou District Commerce Commission, four key commercial centers in the area attracted an average of 200,000 visitors per day during the holiday period, with a total of over 1.5 million visitors, a 15 percent increase year-on-year.
Additionally, retail sales for 19 sample businesses during the seven-day period (January 28 to February 3) grew by 13.8 percent compared to the previous year.
The vibrant consumer activity was fueled by the district's strategic efforts, including the release of the 2025 "Hongkou Must-Do List", a guide that highlighted five major categories of activities: Must-Play, Must-Buy, Must-See, Must-Eat, and Must-Practice.
The initiative helped both residents and tourists easily navigate the wealth of cultural, shopping, and entertainment events on offer.
The list was a key tool in enhancing the holiday shopping experience, encouraging people to explore all that Hongkou has to offer during the festive season.
The success of the “Must-Do List” was reflected in the lively atmosphere of Hongkou's key commercial districts, which hosted a wide variety of events to promote consumer engagement.
instance, Raffles the Bund on the North Bund collaborated with Universal Products & Experiences to debut a "Minions Winter Fun" New Year-themed exhibition, drawing large crowds eager to take photos with the lovable characters.
At the Shanghai Sinar Mas Plaza, visitors enjoyed the 6th Sinar Mas Ice and Snow Festival, featuring ice skating performances and futuristic ice sculptures, bringing a fresh energy to the winter season.
Similarly, Bingang Commercial Center hosted a series of traditional cultural performances, including New Year market stalls, traditional Chinese performances, and Intangible Cultural Heritage craft workshops.
These events offered visitors a unique cultural experience, such as tea ceremonies and music appreciation sessions. CapitaLand Hongkou Commercial Center held a variety of interactive activities like calligraphy exhibitions and lion dances, alongside fun games like the “Snake Game Competition” and the “New Year Scratch Card” challenge, engaging visitors of all ages.
In the Palace of the Sun, the "Citywide Lucky Year Goods Fair" featured popular golden standard goods and unique Intangible Cultural Heritage products, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase high-quality, locally sourced items.
In addition to the traditional retail stores, professional markets and supermarkets also saw significant growth.
Suning.com reported a 50 percent year-on-year increase in sales, partly due to special discounts and joint promotions with major electronics brands.
Robam and Century Lianhua also launched promotional events that successfully attracted large numbers of consumers seeking New Year gifts and essential supplies.
Online platforms didn’t fall behind. Brands like Shanghai Jahwa introduced limited edition New Year gift boxes, while Dewu (a popular e-commerce platform) hosted a "New Year Goods Festival" with promotions like 30 percent off luxury goods and discounts of up to 50 percent on selected items. These offers proved attractive to fashion-conscious and quality-driven consumers, further energizing the retail sector.
One of the key attractions during the holiday period was the blending of traditional Chinese culture with modern retail experiences.
In addition to the exhibitions and performances, the district introduced "Sweet Love" cultural routes, which included live performances of calligraphy writing and Spring Festival couplets — these were especially popular among international visitors.
The iconic the Year of the Snake themed promotion attracted significant attention, with visitors also enjoying interactive installations and seasonal food stalls.
The synergy between Hongkou's cultural activities and retail promotions reinforced the district's reputation as a vibrant, innovative hub for both commerce and culture.
Local businesses landmarks embraced the holiday spirit with holiday-themed events and retail promotions that fostered a festive shopping atmosphere.
Additionally, the district strategically integrated its commercial and cultural resources, such as Tian’an Road and other initiatives designed to enhance the customer experience and bring new business models into the fold.
With more innovative initiatives like the Must-Do List and enhanced collaboration with e-commerce giants, Hongkou is poised to continue its development as a cultural and commercial leader in the city, the district government said.