Street markets boom in east China's Nanjing

(ECNS) – Recently in east China's Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, street stall clusters have sprouted, drawing curious young people.

The markets come in various creative forms, including camp sites and car trunks.

A shopping mall in Jianye District in Nanjing runs a "camping market" every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.

An exotic market with global cuisine and handmade products was held on Saturday at an international community in the city. A car trunk market with more than 200 stalls in Nanjing Wumadu Square has also gained popularity online.

"Major business districts regard street markets as a way to attract consumers and promote consumption," said a person in charge of a shopping mall.

"The market is in the form of stalls, but the quality of goods is better," said one charmed customer.

Most stall owners operate online or offline stores. "If I think the product tastes good or the design is interesting, I will also look for their stores," a customer said.

"Three or four days after I set up a stall in the market, visitors to my online store increased by about 50 percent, " a store owner said, adding "The market is more like a place to make friends."

According to the 2020 Commercial Real Estate Chronicle Annual Report, more than 1,000 street market-themed events have been held by shopping malls across the country in 2020.

Insiders believe the revival of street markets and growth of market brands would bring more opportunities for emerging and independent operators.