SHANGHAI, April 19, 2025 — Summer consumer initiatives have historically fueled economic expansion. Now, Shanghai is taking center stage globally with an ambitious “urban consumption experiment.” The 2025 “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season officially commenced on April 18th at Xujiahui Centre, introducing innovative concepts like “240-Hour Products” and City Customised Events, with the goal of reshaping the summer experience in retail, tourism, and lifestyle sectors.

 

 

According to data from China UnionPay, foreign card expenditures saw a 68.2% increase during the 2024 campaign. Certain key commercial areas performed exceptionally well: Huaihai Road experienced a 208.6% rise in foreign card spending (with an average transaction of RMB 1,597), while the Lujiazui-Zhangyang Road area saw an increase of 119.9% (average spend: RMB 1,998). Total offline consumption in Shanghai reached RMB 815.9 billion, representing an 8.2% year-over-year growth, with dining consumption increasing by 26.9%.

The “240-Hour Products” initiative aims to consolidate premier city resources to offer international visitors an all-encompassing “starter kit” experience. China Eastern Airlines will provide direct discounts on group flight packages across 30 international routes, complemented by user-friendly mobile tools such as the English versions of Air Travel Assistant and AutoNavi Map.

Regarding payments, China UnionPay facilitates foreign card acceptance at 65,000 businesses throughout Shanghai. Visa is collaborating to develop “Payment-Friendly Zones” to improve QR code payment options and tax refund processes for international visitors. A “Shanghai Summer” themed card and related spending promotions will further bolster this diverse payment ecosystem.

Tourists can unlock benefits related to transportation and retail with the “Shanghai Pass” one-day ticket, which is valid for metro, ferry, and sightseeing tunnel journeys. Travel platform Trip.com has introduced a dedicated “Discover Shanghai” page, featuring integrated “Shanghai Express” free city tours, to provide a streamlined digital experience. The city’s culinary scene has also been enhanced with multilingual menus and themed culinary campaigns from Marriott and Jin Jiang, available in Chinese, English, and Korean.

Culture is a focal point of this year’s campaign. The 2025 “Shanghai Summer” edition will highlight global lifestyle IPs through engaging activities, including experiences from Shanghai Disney Resort, the LEGO China-hosted “World Play Festival,” and POP MART’s “Summer Trend Play” campaign. By combining global trends with food, music, and local creativity, the city will be transformed into a lively, multi-sensory celebration of summer, filled with international appeal and dynamic urban energy.

The multilingual official website is now online, featuring an AI-driven travel assistant and virtual avatar, “Shanghai Xiaoxia,” to assist visitors in planning their itineraries and exploring the city in an interactive way. Global KOLs will participate in the campaign on platforms like Instagram, Xiaohongshu, and TikTok, sharing the essence of Shanghai’s summer with audiences worldwide. From the first weekend of July to the second weekend of October, Shanghai extends a renewed invitation to the world—a carefully curated urban experience that highlights the city’s global charm as a destination for shopping, enjoyment, and exploration.

Media Contact: Lu

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