According to statistics from Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Commerce, from April 30 to May 4, 50 key monitored sample enterprises in Ningbo achieved a total sales revenue of 808 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.46%, and the overall consumer market maintained a steady growth trend.
In terms of different business sectors, the cumulative sales revenue of shopping centers reached 277 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.5%; the catering industry achieved a turnover of 41 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.2%; and the supermarkets achieved sales of 130 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.2%.
From the perspective of commodities, the driving effect of bulk consumption is obvious. Automobile sales reached 214 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23.5%; furniture, home appliances, and communication equipment maintained steady growth, with year-on-year increases of 14.4%, 5.3%, and 2.8%, respectively.
“Over the past five days, the holiday consumption market in Ningbo has done a good job, presenting a consumption atmosphere of ‘discounts and consumer scenarios throughout the city’, with overall stability and rise, and frequent hotspots.” commented a related person in charge from the Municipal Bureau of Commerce. This reflects a profound change in the underlying logic of holiday consumption.
On one hand, consumer scenarios are becoming more commonplace, and the consumption of citizens and tourists is becoming more down-to-earth. Various themed fairs such as food fairs, cultural and creative fairs, and pet fairs are gaining popularity. For example, the Old Bund in Ningbo launched the “Global Roaming 4.0” fair, which integrates Yue opera flash mobs and cute pet fashion shows to create an immersive retro-consumption scenario; a Leisure Life Festival was held at Ningbo Cultural Plaza, gathering more than 150 brand booths and becoming a trendy event for young people; the “May Day Good Food Fair” in the Water Street of the Southern Business District launched such interactive experience games as steamed bun making, singing bowl healing, and vegetable ring toss game.
On the other hand, consumer demand is moving towards comprehensive integration, and sustainable consumption activities are being integrated into the business blocks. New consumption scenarios that promote diversity and symbiosis continue to emerge through sports events, cultural empowerment, tourism gathering, and commercial efficiency enhancement. Ningbo Hankyu introduced the first exhibition of international artists Craig & Karl in Zhejiang Province to create a visually striking urban check-in spot with an 8-meter-high Pop Art landmark. The Hehong Village in Ninghai County launched immersive rural experiences such as tea culture research, candlelight concerts, and farm picking to tourists. The theme activity of “Spring Breeze Health Preservation” in Minghe Ancient Town, Cixi County, cleverly combined the Ou music performance, printmaking, and traditional Chinese medicine health preservation.
Around the May Day holiday, Ningbo has also ushered in a new wave of first store openings, with several regional and national first stores appearing together, becoming a strong magnetic field for attracting tourists. The new retail giants have become a key pivot to drive tourist traffic in the business districts. The first store of Xiaoxiang Supermarket in East China and two stores of Freshippo opened before the holiday, and their popularity continues during the holiday. The specialty dining matrix is also constantly expanding, and Ningbo Wanda Plaza has attracted the settlement of a series of new restaurants, attracting a large number of young people for a check-in.
“The various links such as cultural and entertainment events, catering and retail, and digital services are gradually being transmitted and strengthened, forming the entire chain of holiday consumption. Next, we will follow the trend, continue to innovate product and service supply, and expand new space for domestic demand growth,” said the related person in charge from the Municipal Bureau of Commerce.
