Global Harbor shopping mall in Putuo district recently welcomed several new stores, including Xiaomang Plus global flagship store and the world's first physical store of the clothing brand Nanjiren.

Xiaomang Plus attracted over 5,000 visitors on its opening day and is expected to become a popular new destination for young shoppers. The Nanjiren store, designed in collaboration with Japanese architect Shuhei Aoyama, introduces a fresh retail concept centered around fun and interactive experiences.

Meanwhile, the mall has seen a surge in international foot traffic following updates to China's visa-free entry policies. Adding to this momentum, Global Harbor was recently designated as one of Shanghai's first centralized tax refund counters offering the "refund-upon-purchase" service. This allows eligible overseas travelers to receive instant VAT refunds in renminbi after shopping at participating stores, without needing to complete paperwork at the airport when leaving China.

Bright blue signs reading "TAX FREE" and "Refund-upon-purchase" are prominently displayed at shop entrances and cashier counters throughout the mall, including at the main service desk and major international retailers.

On the fifth floor, home to the CIIE Bazaar, Sri Lankan visitor Srimal was seen browsing for souvenirs. Wrapping up a business trip in Shanghai, he purchased traditional Chinese porcelain vases and opted for the "refund-upon-purchase" service, receiving an instant cash refund on the spot. "The process was quick, and the 200-yuan (about $27.82) minimum is very reasonable for buying everyday items or gifts for friends," he said.

Currently, more than 2,000 products at the CIIE Bazaar are eligible for instant tax refunds. Popular items among departing travelers include Chinese ceramics, imported wool blankets, and alcoholic beverages.

Global Harbor leads Putuo malls in brands offering the refund-upon-purchase service, with over 30 participants. These include cosmetics names like Gucci Beauty, L'Occitane, and Sephora; fashion and tech retailers like Michael Kors, Bosideng, Semir, ASUS, Xiaomi, and H&M; plus the CIIE Bazaar itself.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center at "shputuo"