According to official statistics, Shanghai's Jiading district recorded a consumer spending boom during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, with 22 key commercial enterprises reporting sales totaling 1.16 billion yuan (about $170 million) from Feb 15 to 22.
The robust sales figures were fueled by immersive marketing campaigns that turned shopping malls and commercial streets into lively hubs of activity.
Xiyunlou commercial street experienced a 132.76 percent year-on-year increase in revenue, featuring "Horse of Fortune" photo spots, New Year fairs, and mascot parades that captured the essence of Shanghai-style Chinese New Year. Several trendy stores reported that their best-selling items sold out quickly.
Visitors explore festive decorations and participate in New Year activities at Xiyunlou commercial street. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
The Jiatinghui Life Hub achieved 19 percent revenue growth with its "Horse Carnival" theme, which combined AI art installations, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and community events.
At the heart of Jiatinghui Life Hub stands an AI-powered art installation featuring a cartoon horse. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
Shanghai Nanxiang Incity MEGA collaborated with popular LINE FRIENDS for themed events, while Baolong Plaza transformed into a social media sensation among young consumers with its display of 10,000 lanterns.
The district's consumption stimulus programs expanded to include big-ticket items. Starting Feb 13, a new vehicle subsidy scheme provides eligible buyers with an extra 5,000 yuan in district-level subsidies per eligible vehicle, on top of national and municipal incentives. The Nanxiang Incity MEGA experience center saw a roughly 20 percent year-on-year increase in customer traffic.
Seven key restaurants monitored reported sales of 6.27 million yuan, up 4.5 percent year-on-year, with "New Year set menus" and ICH-themed dining experiences proving particularly popular.