In line with Shanghai's citywide initiative — the 2025 National Premium Products Debut Season & "First in Shanghai" Event Series, launched on March 16 — the Pudong New Area is on the move.

It's accelerating efforts to establish itself as a leader of the "debut economy" with a series of high-profile events.

Note:

In China, the debut economy is all about the launch of new products, services, technologies and business models. The aim is to create real excitement, get consumer attention and galvanize spending behavior through exclusivity and novelty.

Here are some highlights:

- Taikoo Li Qiantan is hosting sustainable lifestyle experiences in collaboration with a slew of brands. The world's first Starbucks Greener Store Lab — recognized as the most environmentally friendly Starbucks location — is showcasing the brand's latest and most innovative green initiatives.

- Florentia Village Shanghai will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a grand shopping festival on March 28, featuring an exclusive nighttime luxury shopping event. In partnership with Coach, the outlet will debut China's first-ever sustainable retail space, blending sustainability with high-end shopping.

- At the AW2025 Shanghai Fashion Week, the GLAM Showcase will take place from March 25 to April 1 at the New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center — featuring eight exclusive social and eveningwear launches from global designers.

The event will open with a collection by The Bridal By The Atelier, led by Jimmy Choo as creative director, followed by Vietnam's Linh Nga Couture, making its Shanghai debut.

The grand finale on March 31 will feature Marchesa, marking the British luxury brand's first-ever display in China. Other highlights include collections from Liz Shine Couture (Malaysia) and domestic brands Wang Feng, Mist Bridal and Beyond Couture.

- The exhibition Loro Piana's Quest for Excellence will be held at the Museum of Art Pudong from March 22 to May 5. The event marks the Italian luxury brand's first global retrospective, merging fashion craftsmanship with artistic heritage.

- The highly anticipated retrospective Chen Yifei: A Retrospective on Art and Legacy is set to run at the Museum of Art Pudong from April 26 to Oct 12, making it one of Shanghai's most significant cultural and artistic events of the year.

- The China Appliance & Consumer Electronics Expo will take place from March 20 to 23 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, featuring over 1,000 top brands from around the world.

As Asia's largest and one of the world's top three consumer electronics exhibitions, this year's event will spotlight cutting-edge innovations in smart home appliances, audiovisual technology, digital devices and communications. Industry giants including Samsung, Haier, Sony, Philips and Huawei will also host numerous on-site product launch events.

Additionally, AWE 2025 will partner with Tmall, JD.com, Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), Xiaohongshu and Bilibili to launch a very special shopping festival, integrating online and in-person retail experiences.

Leveraging the national trade-in policy, the event aims to enhance consumer engagement by merging technology with everyday life.

Source: Shanghai Observer