Core Insights - The National Day holiday in Shanghai has become a significant consumption period, attracting overseas tourists to engage in shopping activities [1] - The brand "Mao Lolan" has seen a notable increase in sales, particularly at its flagship store, benefiting from the "departure tax refund" policy [2] Group 1: Company Performance - Mao Lolan operates 14 stores in Shanghai, with nearly 40% of customers at the flagship store being foreign nationals [1] - The flagship store's revenue has increased by over 30% year-on-year since October 1, driven by the holiday and tax refund incentives [1] - The average daily transaction volume at the flagship store has maintained above 130,000 yuan since October 1, with a record single-day sales exceeding 200,000 yuan on October 5 [2] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Foreign customers show strong interest in traditional Chinese clothing, often asking detailed questions about the qipao [1] - Many foreign customers conduct research before visiting, comparing prices across different stores, although they express some dissatisfaction with the pricing [2] - The departure tax refund effectively provides a discount, enhancing the purchasing motivation among foreign customers [2] Group 3: Market Trends - Shanghai Customs reported a significant increase in departure tax refund applications, with 96,600 applications and a total value of 2.07 billion yuan in the first eight months of the year, representing growth of 168% and 83% respectively compared to the previous year [2]

Core Insights - The article discusses the increasing popularity of China's departure tax refund policy among foreign tourists, driven by the rise of "China shopping" as a global consumer trend. This policy is seen as a key measure to boost inbound consumption and facilitate high-level opening-up of the economy [1]. Group 1: Departure Tax Refund Policy Impact - Shanghai's departure tax refund sales surged by 86% year-on-year, with the refund amount increasing by 77% as of May 27, one month after the policy optimization [2]. - During the "May Day" holiday, Shanghai's departure tax refund sales increased by 150% year-on-year, and the refund amount rose by 170% [2]. - The number of departure tax refund stores in Shanghai's Jing'an District has exceeded 100, with a goal to establish 1,000 stores and 500 "immediate refund" service points [3]. Group 2: Participation of Local Brands - Traditional brands like Taikang Foods and Shao Wansheng are eager to participate in the departure tax refund program, with many local brands preparing to join [5]. - The Nanjing Road pedestrian street has 45 departure tax refund stores, covering various product categories, enhancing the shopping experience for foreign tourists [5]. - The introduction of the departure tax refund policy has significantly increased the appeal of domestic brands to foreign consumers, with sales growth reported at 35% for some brands after joining the program [6]. Group 3: Enhanced Shopping Experience - Shanghai's tax authorities are optimizing the departure tax refund process by introducing self-service machines in high-traffic stores, improving efficiency and convenience for foreign tourists [7].

Core Insights - The Shanghai Haipai Qipao Culture Festival has emerged as a significant cultural event, blending traditional heritage with modern fashion, and is seen as a new driver for consumer upgrades [2][10] Group 1: Event Overview - The Haipai Qipao Culture Festival took place in June in Shanghai's Zhang Garden, featuring immersive experiences such as trying on qipaos and learning traditional techniques like button making [4] - The festival lasted for 7 days and attracted over 120,000 participants, leading to a 40% increase in surrounding consumer spending [11] Group 2: Cultural Significance - The Haipai qipao represents a blend of classical aesthetics and modern elements, with traditional techniques like hand-rolled edges and Su embroidery recognized as national intangible cultural heritage [6] - The festival showcased a variety of qipao styles, highlighting the evolution of fashion from the 1920s to contemporary urban aesthetics through themed fashion shows [13] Group 3: Market Trends - The domestic qipao market is experiencing rapid growth, with an average annual sales growth rate exceeding 10%, and high-end custom qipaos priced at tens of thousands of yuan [16] - Many brands reported a 2-3 times increase in sales compared to the previous month since June, indicating a strong demand for innovative qipao products targeting both high-end and mid-to-low-end markets [16] Group 4: Future Developments - The Shanghai Haipai Qipao Promotion Association plans to integrate exhibition, fashion shows, sales, and production in future events, with over 1,500 innovative qipao designs already submitted for the 2025 festival [14]