Jing'an Shopping Malls Host Winter-Themed Programs

As the year winds down, Jing'an feels anything but subdued. The air turns sharp and daylight retreats, yet the district's commercial life gathers momentum, spilling from one shopping quarter to the next in a sequence of winter scenes – less about keeping warm than about keeping the city in motion. Li Qian and Luo Xuemin report.

In recent weeks, several shopping complexes in Jing'an District have hosted winter-themed programs that combine retail, dining and live entertainment.

At Jing'an Kerry Center's South Plaza, the Swirling Karneval market has been set up with a circus-inspired layout. It brings together more than 20 lifestyle and food brands, alongside a schedule of about 180 performances, including dance shows, parades and live music.

HKRI Taikoo Hui has also launched its winter season under the theme "Oh là là," building on attention drawn by its landmark "The Louis" cruise ship.

The seasonal program centers on "Dialogue," a pair of large-scale installations made of metal and glass. One references Paris's Eiffel Tower, while the other draws inspiration from Shanghai's Oriental Pearl TV Tower, reflecting cultural links between the two cities. Street lighting, craft workshops and parades have been designed to extend the events into surrounding public spaces.

Other commercial complexes have introduced brand collaborations and interactive exhibitions aimed at attracting different consumer groups.

Plaza 66 has partnered with luxury brand Goyard on an outdoor installation featuring a large mechanical travel trunk with moving elements. At JC Plaza, a collaboration with Pop Mart has brought in a themed exhibition featuring characters such as Labubu and Dimoo, targeting younger visitors.

Cultural programming has also been integrated into commercial areas. Immersive theater production "Sleep No More" marked its ninth anniversary in Shanghai with performances staged in the historic shikumen stone-lane alleyways of Zhangyuan Garden, combining theatrical storytelling with heritage architecture and retail space.

The Suhewan business district focuses on the integration of art and daily life, and Suhewan MixC World has launched the themed campaign "Poetry Wander" along the banks of the Suzhou Creek.

In the Daning area, Jiuguang Center launched a Pingu-themed winter attraction covering more than 1,000 square meters, including an ice rink, themed dining venues and retail outlets, positioning the complex as a family-oriented destination during the winter season.

District officials have described these initiatives as part of a broader effort to reposition commercial areas as mixed-use urban spaces, rather than focusing solely on traditional retail.

That strategy was outlined more formally on December 12 at the "2025 Jing'an Fashion Brand Innovation Release," where the district introduced a consumption framework centered on first-launch retail, self-reward spending, nighttime economy, design-driven consumption and technology-enabled retail.

Officials said the framework is intended to guide the district's approach to commercial development amid changing consumer expectations.

To support fashion brands, Jing'an announced a set of incentives aimed at different stages of brand development. These include subsidies of up to 1 million yuan (US$142,000) for flagship "first store" openings, as well as financial support of up to 10 million yuan for the incubation and expansion of local brands.

The district also launched the Jing'an Fashion Brand Alliance, which brings together more than 100 international and domestic brands, including LVMH, Richemont, Kering, L'Oréal and Labelhood. The alliance is intended to facilitate cooperation across branding, retail operations and supply chains.

In addition, six emerging Chinese brands, including Keigan and Sandriver, signed agreements to establish their operations in Jing'an. Support for these brands will include access to incubation space, supply-chain resources and marketing assistance.

Strategic guidance for the initiative is being provided by experts from commerce authorities, industry organizations and consulting firms, including WWD China, Bain & Company and Shanghai Fashion Week. Officials said the advisory support is intended to help align the district's commercial policies with global industry trends and data-driven analysis.