Since China and South Korea introduced mutual visa-free travel, inbound tourism to Shanghai has gained new momentum. In Jing'an district, a neighborhood supermarket has unexpectedly become a regular stop on the itineraries of many South Korean visitors.

RT-Mart's Pingxingguan branch, long known for serving local residents, has gone viral on South Korean social media for its competitive prices and visitor-friendly services. The store now receives an average of 200 to 300 South Korean shoppers each day, with weekend numbers climbing to more than 500.

The trend began with a simple price comparison. South Korean visitors discovered that a bag of Three Squirrels macadamia nuts was selling for about half the price found in South Korea. Videos posted on Naver, one of the country's most popular online platforms, quickly attracted attention and shares.

As interest grew, South Korean netizens began describing the supermarket as an "extension of duty-free stores". Today, the sight of rolling suitcases moving through supermarket aisles has become a familiar sight.

The store is now officially marked on Kakao Pay's Shanghai travel map. Many South Korean shoppers arrive with clear and remarkably similar shopping lists, which often include:

• Portable liquor, such as Fruit Cubes from Jiangxiaobai, small bottles of flavored baijiu that are easy to pack
• Snack gifts, including macadamia nuts and egg roll cookies, often purchased in multiples
• Novelty flavors, such as Oreo varieties and coriander-flavored instant noodles
• City souvenirs, particularly "I Love SH" T-shirts, which sell more than 800 pieces per month

To better serve inbound travelers, the store has upgraded its offerings across product selection, in-store services, and payment options.

Popular items favored by South Korean visitors are grouped into dedicated sections. Gift boxes are displayed at eye level, while a specialized liquor display offers free tastings. Store navigation, product labels, and service notices are provided in both Chinese and Korean, supported by bilingual audio guidance.

The checkout process has also been streamlined. A dedicated lane for South Korean clients supports Kakao Pay and UnionPay, with exclusive discounts available for Kakao Pay users.

In addition, the store is among Shanghai's first supermarkets to introduce the instant "refund-upon-purchase" service. Shoppers who spend at least 200 yuan (about $28.67) can receive a 9 percent tax refund immediately at the store.

At the exit, bilingual taxi guides list estimated fares to both of Shanghai's major airports, helping visitors plan their return trips with greater ease.

If you go

Address: 1F, No 1 Yujinggang Road

Transport: Metro Line 8, North Xizang Road Station, Exit 4

Hours: Daily from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm

Source: WeChat account of Shanghai Jing'an Media Center