SHANGHAI, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Summer consumer campaigns have long been a key engine for economic growth. Now, Shanghai is stepping into the global spotlight with a bold “urban consumption experiment.” On 18 April, the 2025 “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season was officially launched at Xujiahui Centre, unveiling innovative concepts such as “240-Hour Products” and City Customised Events, aiming to redefine the summer experience across retail, travel, and lifestyle.

According to China UnionPay, foreign card spending surged by 68.2% during the 2024 campaign period. Key commercial areas stood out significantly: Huaihai Road saw a 208.6% increase in overseas card spending (with an average spend of RMB 1,597), while the Lujiazui-Zhangyang Road area rose by 119.9% (average spend: RMB 1,998). Total offline consumption in Shanghai reached RMB 815.9 billion, marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase, with dining consumption up by 26.9%.

The “240-Hour Products” initiative will bring together top-tier city resources to provide overseas visitors with an immersive “starter kit” experience. China Eastern Airlines will offer direct discounts on group flight packages across 30 international routes, supported by smart mobility tools such as the English-language versions of Air Travel Assistant and AutoNavi Map.

In payment, China UnionPay enables foreign card acceptance at 65,000 merchants across Shanghai. Visa is co-developing “Payment-Friendly Zones” to enhance QR code payments and tax refund experiences for international travelers. A “Shanghai Summer” themed card and spending promotions further support this multi-channel payment ecosystem.

Visitors can unlock transport and retail perks with the “Shanghai Pass” one-day ticket, valid for metro, ferry, and sightseeing tunnel rides. Travel platform Trip.com has launched a dedicated “Discover Shanghai” page, featuring integrated “Shanghai Express” free city tours to offer a seamless digital experience. The city’s dining scene has also been elevated with multilingual menus and themed culinary campaigns from Marriott and Jin Jiang, available in Chinese, English, and Korean.

Culture takes center stage in this year’s campaign.The 2025 edition of “Shanghai Summer” will spotlight global lifestyle IPs through immersive activations — including experiences from Shanghai Disney Resort, the LEGO China-hosted “World Play Festival,” and POP MART’s “Summer Trend Play” campaign. By blending global trends with food, music, and local creativity, the city will be transformed into a vibrant, multi-sensory celebration of summer, bursting with international flair and dynamic urban energy.

The multilingual official website www.shanghaisummer.com is now live, featuring an AI-powered travel assistant and virtual avatar, “Shanghai Xiaoxia,” to help visitors plan itineraries and explore the city interactively. Global KOLs will take part in the campaign across platforms including Instagram, Xiaohongshu, and TikTok — bringing the essence of Shanghai’s summer to audiences around the world. From the first weekend of July to the second weekend of October, Shanghai offers a renewed invitation to the world — a thoughtfully curated urban journey that highlights the city’s global charm as a destination to shop, enjoy, and explore.

Media Contact: Lu media@shanghaisummer.com

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SHANGHAI, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season officially launched on 18 April at Xujiahui Centre. With innovative offerings like the “240-Hour Products” and “City Customised Events,” this year’s programme presents a city-level consumer experience that blends international lifestyle with summer vitality. The first stop of the global roadshow will arrive in Osaka, Japan this May, continuing to share Shanghai’s summer story with international audiences.

A new wave of flagship events is set to unfold. Three globally popular IPs—LEGO China， POP MART, and Shanghai Disney Resort—will join forces in Shanghai. The LEGO China Discovery Resort will enter trial operations, with the ” World Play Festival” making its global debut. POP MART will bring its “Summer Trend Play” series to life, featuring IP exhibitions, new product launches, and interactive pop-ups. Shanghai Disney Resort will also unveil various summer-themed activations, creating immersive entertainment experiences for all ages.

To enhance inbound tourism, “Shanghai Summer” integrates transportation, attractions, and retail districts into a “starter kit” experience tailored for international travellers. China Eastern Airlines will offer discounted group packages across global routes. In terms of payment, Visa is co-developing “Payment-Friendly Zones” to enhance QR code transactions and tax refund scenarios for international travelers. China UnionPay is expanding foreign card acceptance to 65,000 merchants citywide and has launched the “Shanghai Summer” themed card along with a variety of promotional offers—creating a diversified payment ecosystem that integrates credit cards, mobile payments, and digital RMB.

In 2024, offline spending in Shanghai reached RMB 815.9 billion, an 8.2% increase year-on-year. Dining consumption rose to RMB 96.4 billion, up 26.9%. Foreign card spending surged by 68.2%, with Huaihai Road seeing a 208.6% increase and the Lujiazui-Zhangyang Road area growing by 119.9%—demonstrating the city’s growing international appeal.

The official website www.shanghaisummer.com is now available in five languages. AI assistant “Shanghai Xiaoxia” is also online, with many offerings equipped with Japanese-language support—welcoming global travellers to join this vibrant summer celebration in Shanghai.

Media Contact: Lulu media@shanghaisummer.com

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SHANGHAI, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season Global Launch took place on April 18. This year’s campaign is scheduled from early July to the second weekend of October, covering the entire summer period. Centered around the “240-Hour Products” and “City Customized Events,” the program aims to showcase Shanghai’s consumer appeal as an efficient, international metropolis. With a focus on “diversity, convenience, and family-friendliness,” Singaporean visitors are invited to experience a summer journey that blends urban quality with family enjoyment.

According to China UnionPay, during the 2024 campaign, foreign card spending in Shanghai increased by 68.2%. Notably, Huaihai Road saw a 208.6% surge in overseas card usage, with an average transaction of RMB 1,597, while Lujiazui-Zhangyang Road rose by 119.9%, with an average spend of RMB 1,998. Total offline spending reached RMB 815.9 billion, including RMB 96.4 billion in dining—a 26.9% year-on-year growth—demonstrating the city’s strong consumption momentum.

This year, the campaign launches a “starter kit” ideal for short-term trips—offering standardized, bookable urban experiences under the “240-Hour Products.” Bundled with the “Shanghai Pass” one-day ticket, the offering integrates metro transit, landmarks, and commercial privileges. A multilingual official website (www.shanghaisummer.com) and AI assistant “Shanghai Xiaoxia” support visitors with a full-process, user-friendly service. Additionally, China Eastern Airlines provides special international group fares tailored for family travel.

Xiaolong Yin, General Manager at Visa Mainland China, introduced that Visa will partner with industry partners to create the “Visa Zone for Shanghai Summer”. The Visa Zone will focus on optimizing international card acceptance across all payment scenarios, deploying diverse payment methods and innovative acceptance terminals, enhancing payment security and driving consumption, with an aim to promote international cultural and people-to-people exchanges and contribute to the construction of Shanghai as an international consumption center city.

Families will also find their place this summer. LEGO China is expected to begin trial operations of the LEGO Discovery Resort in Shanghai, featuring eight themed zones, more than 75 rides, shows, and attractions, and 2,889 models built with over 85 million bricks. LEGO China will also host the “World Play Festival” from June 11 to July 25, featuring interactive city playgrounds and themed urban installations. Additionally, the Jinshan LEGOLAND Resort is scheduled to open during the summer vacation, further expanding the family-friendly experience. POP MART will join with its signature designer toy IPs to launch themed exhibitions, pop-ups, and immersive installations. Disney China will present four themed summer events, including Zootopia, Disney Pets, Toy Story’s 30th Anniversary, and Frozen’s “Summer Snow Festival.” Together, these leading global IPs will shape a vibrant CityWalk experience, blending culture, entertainment, and retail to create unforgettable moments for families of all kinds.

Media Contact: Lulu, media@shanghaisummer.com

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