CGTN | 15-Jul-2020 | By Chen Tong
Shanghai’s campaign to boost consumer spending back to where it was before COVID-19 hit has helped get the city’s nightlife back to last year’s level, especially in the catering sector.
Alipay figures show total transactions at Shanghai’s small shops in May jumped by more than 30 percent compared with January, and more shops continue to open. In the first week of June, the number of small shops opening Alipay services hit a two-month record. While Shanghai cuisine is famous for sweet sauces, the most popular dinner choice this year turns out to be spicy hotpot.
One of the most popular restaurant meals in Shanghai is fiery Sichuan hotpot. A popular restaurant in downtown Shanghai named Tan Ya Xue Hotpot is now getting 400 to 500 customers a night, just as it did before COVID-19 appeared. “The customers on weekends are now back to last year’s average, especially with the government help we’ve gotten. Customers are lining up for two hours, even at 10 o’clock at night – one o’clock at noon,” said Chen Jing, the store manager from Tan Ya Xue Hotpot.
Shanghai’s native local cuisines are sweet and delicate. But young people are turning to the hot and spicy Sichuan peppers for something special, especially after staying at home for months during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’m from Shanghai, but I love spicy food. It really gives you a kick,” a customer told CGTN.
“I can’t remember how many times I’ve eaten hotpot, probably once a week. I love it. There’s nothing that can’t be solved by eating hotpot,” another customer posted online, quoting a popular saying. Alipay’s data show that nightlife spending in Shanghai has made it back to the same level it had reached last year. Sichuan hotpot and Japanese and Korean cuisines are the most popular. Summer is with us now, and people are getting out to enjoy themselves in the evening.
Shanghai held more than 180 evening events in June to boost nightlife spending. While the city’s foodies have contributed a lot to the nightlife spending, other evening businesses are also seeing more customers return. The street market near the Bund has a dozen vendors selling all kinds of things, and they’re getting a lot more passersby lately.
“Our data show that street market sales are recovering and the recovery is picking up speed. Most of the vendors sell art pieces and creative products. They’re really popular with the customers,” said Yang Yu, the director of office property management at Shanghai Shimao.
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