Consumption of Beijing rebounds as pandemic prevention measures optimized

Consumption of Beijing rebounds with more visitors going to shopping malls, cinemas and snow festivals over the weekend as pandemic prevention measures are optimized.

Sales of shopping malls in Beijing's downtown recovered with a spike in visitor flow over the weekend of Dec 24 and 25, resuming at 80 to 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels, Beijing Business Today reported on Tuesday.

The two-day was the first weekend of promoting an all-round resumption of work and production as the government has optimized COVID prevention and control measures.

Beijing's Chaoyang Joy City saw a daily average of 80,000 visitors over the weekend, a 102 percent increase from last week and an 80 percent rebound from the pre-pandemic period, according to the shopping mall.

On Saturday, there were queues for dining at many restaurants in the mall of Chaoyang Joy City, such as one of a popular restaurant with over 20 tables in line during lunchtime.

Visitors to Beijing's Chaoyang Hopson One shopping mall on Saturday exceeded 100,000 per day, according to the mall.

The current customer flow at the Chaoyang Hopson One shopping mall is 80 to 90 percent of that before the pandemic, with a 200 percent growth in total customer traffic from the previous year.

CapitaLand malls saw a 93 percent boost in customer visits during the weekend, driven by new consumer trends such as upcoming festivals and snow-themed activities.

Over 95 percent of tenants in the total seven CapitaLand malls operated in Beijing are reopened.

Sales at the malls in Beijing have also been rising over the weekend, with sales at Chaoyang Joy City and CapitaLand malls up 133 percent and 116 percent than last week, respectively.

The overall sales of Beijing's Chaoyang Hopson One shopping mall surpassed 50 million yuan ($7.2 million) over the weekend, with nearly 200 brands recording the top single-day sales in the country, said the mall.

Cinemas have also become a choice of Beijing consumers for entertainment on weekends, with the films Avatar: The Way of Water and Someday or One Day being on the screen.

The audience flow in the cinema has bounced back to 50 percent of the same period before the pandemic, with seating at 40 percent of capacity, according to a film company in Chaoyang Joy City mall.

The 2023 Beijing Ice and Snow Consumption Festival, which brings together over 80 companies in ice and snow fields and outdoor sports, kicked off to promote the integrated development of culture, tourism and sports business.