On May 1, 2025, Shanghai officially kicked off the International Consumption Season 2025 and the sixth Shanghai 5-5 Shopping Festival in a joint event organized by China's Ministry of Commerce, China Media Group and the Shanghai Municipal Government. The celebration sets the stage for new global retail, cultural and tourism collaborations.
Sheng Qiuping, vice minister of commerce, called on international consumer cities to align proactively with central government policies. By leveraging national benchmarks and targeted incentives, these hubs can drive upgraded product consumption and set new standards for global shoppers.
Data shared at the launch shows that by 2024, the combined retail sales of consumer goods in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing are expected to account for roughly one-eighth of the national total. Imported consumer goods already make up more than half of the country's total imports, underscoring the growing appetite for global brands.
Wang Xiaozhen, vice president of China Media Group, emphasized the power of cultural and tourist consumption. She pointed to Chinese cinema's record-breaking box office as a sign of the market's maturity and urged brands to activate untapped potential by blending ideas, art and technology in their communications strategies.
Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, acting director general of Dubai Municipality, joined via video link to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai-Dubai partnership. He reaffirmed Dubai's commitment to becoming the most attractive, sustainable and high-quality living city and expressed hopes for deeper cooperation and shared prosperity between the two global hubs.
As international consumer cities gear up to leverage policy support, the festival invites entrepreneurs, digital nomads and culture seekers to explore Shanghai's dynamic retail and tourism landscape—a true testbed for the future of global consumption.
Reference(s):
Launch of intl consumption season looks to expand foreign investment
cgtn.com
