Shanghai's "debut economy" has taken center stage as the city hosted three major events on March 21, spotlighting its consumer market and positioning itself as a hub for international high-end brands.

Apple opens its eighth store in Shanghai on March 21. [Photo/m.whb.cn]

Starbucks unveils an exciting line-up of six Oleato beverages in Shanghai, marking the debut of its revolutionary coffee-forward platform in mainland China. [Photo/m.whb.cn]

Loewe's "Crafted World" exhibition in Shanghai. [Photo/m.whb.cn]

The day saw the opening of the Jing'an Apple Store, graced by the presence of Apple CEO Tim Cook, and the national debut of Starbucks' Oleato series, with Howard Schultz, Starbucks founder and chairman emeritus, attending the launch event at the Starbucks Reserve Shanghai Roastery. Additionally, the global exhibition tour of luxury brand Loewe's "Crafted World" further underscored Shanghai's appeal and market strength, all within a two-kilometer radius.

Introduced six years ago, Shanghai's "debut economy" has attracted global attention, drawing in new product launches, debut shows and exhibitions.

Recent days have witnessed a surge in high-profile events, including the high-end hairstyle art show hosted by leading salon brand L'Oreal Professionnel on March 1, the debut of Mirror Dreams' flagship store on March 7 and Gucci's Ancora series display on March 11, all of which highlight Shanghai's pivotal role in the global fashion and consumer market.

To further bolster the "debut economy", the municipal government is planning a 2.0 version of debut-related policies, focusing on supporting debut activities, first shows and exhibitions, as well as the establishment of brand headquarters and stores. These efforts aim to enhance business districts and consumer clusters, cementing Shanghai's position as a global business hub.

Source: m.whb.cn