When: April 19 to May 20

Where: Grand Gateway 66, No 1 Hongqiao Road, Xuhui district

From April 19 to May 20, Butterbear — the immensely popular Thai bakery and mascot brand that has taken China by storm — will make her Shanghai debut at Grand Gateway 66 multi-level retail complex in Xuhui district, with a themed art exhibition full of local flair and fan-friendly surprises.

Known to Chinese fans for her stickers and memes, Butterbear is stepping into the spotlight in a whole new way — this time, as a stylish "fashion star".

The exhibition blends the charm of the character with uniquely Shanghainese elements — including a white magnolia-shaped pendant and a limited-edition polka-dot dress — creating a fresh cultural fusion.

Pan Mingfeng, general manager of Grand Gateway 66, said that the collaboration took over six months to prepare.

"Our goal is to break away from ticket-based models," he added. "By opening the space to fans, we're turning emotional connection into shopping energy".

One of the highlights of the exhibition is its immersive, in-person experience. Visitors can interact with a life-sized Butterbear mascot, who will even take on the role of "store manager for a day".

This quirky approach is said to reflect Xuhui's strategy of hosting "First in Shanghai" events that combine global appeal with local creativity.

According to Pan, events like these can boost foot traffic by 20-30 percent. During last year's tie-in with the hit musical B for Busy, Grand Gateway 66 saw record-breaking sales.

The success is said to be part of a wider "symbiotic" commercial strategy.

"Xujiahui thrives because of its mix of luxury and trend-driven retail," Pan said. The district's full-area coordination strategy allows exhibits like Butterbear's to span from Grand Gateway 66's plaza to nearby Metro City, creating a district-wide buzz.

Pan believes healthy competition between retail zones fuels the city's energy.

"A visitor might see another show in the morning and come meet Butterbear in the afternoon. Together, we're building Shanghai's reputation as a global shopping hub," he added.

Sources: "xuhuifabu" WeChat account, "butterbear.th" INS account