Guangzhou shopkeepers seek out eclectic nostalgia

"Many buyers come to the stores looking for significant items that jog their memories of childhood," Tang said.

Meaningful old items with strong individual characteristics are particularly welcomed, he said.

The products displayed and sold in the stores include old toys, watches, garments, handbags, jewelry and adornments.

"All the products were purchased by my wife and me when we traveled around the world in previous decades," Tang said.

"The old items are sold from several yuan to more than 10,000 yuan ($1,538), depending on their scarcity, and most were produced in the previous century."

Tang said old does not simply mean secondhand products.

"All the old products sold in the stores were actually produced in limited quantities, have been well-protected and have their certificates with production dates and producers' names. Therefore they have special significance," he said.