Changning transforms wet markets into modern community hubs

Shanghai Hongqiao One-Stop Service Center for Overseas Talents| December 12, 2025

Shanghai is redefining its retail landscape through a series of targeted upgrades that enhance daily life while elevating the traditional market experience.

One standout example is the newly transformed "Wojia Market (Family Market)" on Wuyi Road, Changning district, which has evolved from an old industrial factory into a modern, multifunctional community hub.

As part of the city's wider initiative to modernize local markets, this upgraded standard market now blends shopping, dining, and social spaces, allowing residents to pick up their groceries and even sit down for a cup of coffee.

The city's push for retail innovation has already delivered visible results. More than one-third of Shanghai's wet markets have been standardized, giving residents access to cleaner, more convenient and more contemporary shopping environments. These markets are no longer simply places to buy food; they have become lively neighborhood spaces that encourage interaction and community engagement.

At the same time, Shanghai is revitalizing small streets and alleyways to stimulate commercial activity. Along Yuyuan Road, for example, "small but beautiful" streets are being enriched with distinctive shops and new businesses, adding both character and new energy to the area. The policy also supports the creation of new brands and helps long-established ones renew themselves for a modern audience.

Through these efforts, Shanghai is ushering in a new chapter in retail, blending the charm of traditional markets with fresh, community-focused experiences that draw residents back into neighborhood life.

 

Source: WeChat account of Changning district information office "shchangning"