DURING the May Day holiday, Bao’an District witnessed consumer activity surge. Eight major commercial hubs in the district attracted over 3.36 million visitors, a year-on-year increase of nearly 60%, according to the Bao’an District Commerce Bureau.

Spending in brick-and-mortar stores exceeded 2 billion yuan (US$277 million), up more than 30% year on year, with the total number of purchases surpassing 3 million.

Data from Meituan, a Chinese online retailer and delivery service, reveal strong growth in digital commerce during the holiday, with online transactions increasing by nearly 19% compared to the same period last year. The nighttime economy was particularly robust, accounting for over 53% of total consumption — a 24% year-on-year increase.

The district also saw strong performance in auto sales, driven by policy incentives. Vehicle trade-in applications exceeded 400, and sales surpassed 91 million yuan, ranking Bao’an first in Shenzhen.

Emerging trends such as outdoor-themed activities, product launch events, and intangible cultural heritage experiences became new economic highlights, shifting the focus from traditional retail to immersive experiences.

A spokesperson from the Bao’an District Commerce Bureau noted that the thriving holiday market not only demonstrated the district’s vitality and potential but also injected fresh momentum into the district’s economic growth.(Wang Jingli)