Core Insights - In the first half of 2025, Chongqing achieved a retail sales total of over 830 billion yuan, leading among five major international consumption center cities, driven by a robust "first store economy" [1] - Chongqing introduced 212 first stores and hosted approximately 121 first launch events in the first half of the year, with a year-on-year growth of 15.8% in first store numbers [1] - The distribution of first stores shows a "pyramid" structure, with 45 regional first stores, 10 national first stores, and 110 city first stores, indicating Chongqing's position as a commercial hub in Southwest China [1] Retail and Dining Sector - Retail and dining sectors account for over 80% of the first store economy, with retail alone making up 49.5%, highlighting Chongqing's identity as a "city of shopping and dining" [2] - The retail sector is characterized by a dual focus on "fashion" and "lifestyle," contributing 52 first stores, which together account for 99% of the retail sector [2] - The dining sector is led by casual dining, with 36 first stores, reflecting a shift towards lighter, more social dining experiences, while traditional strong categories like hot pot and barbecue show limited growth [3] Core Area Dynamics - The "dual-core" structure of Chongqing's first store economy is evident, with Yuzhong District leading with 85 first stores, followed by Jiangbei District with 65, together accounting for over 70% of the city's total first stores [4] - Yuzhong District, as the historical commercial center, generates 5.4% of the city's GDP from just 2.8% of its land area, while Jiangbei District is recognized for its international consumption center development [4] Commercial Projects - The Longfor Chongqing North City Tianjie in Jiangbei District leads with 30 first stores, showcasing a significant brand matrix including over 100 top brands [5] - Chongqing MixC ranked second with 28 first stores, while Longfor Chongqing Times Tianjie secured third place with 21 first stores [5] - Chongqing Fangyuan LIVE, with 18 first stores, has become a popular destination, attracting a daily average footfall of 40,000 [6] Event Highlights - Chongqing hosted 81 city-level, 22 regional, and 18 national first launch events in the first half of 2025, indicating strong brand attraction and resource aggregation capabilities [11] - Notable events include the national premiere of the immersive art exhibition "Miracle" and the 2025 Chongqing International Coffee Festival, which featured over 210 coffee-related brands [12][14]