As the "FIRST in Shanghai" series of activities kicked off on March 16, Putuo District followed the trend closely, with a variety of new launches of first stores and debut shows, bringing new heat to spring consumption.

At 501 Wuning Road, the first store of the new brand Atwell Suites by InterContinental Hotels Group in China — Shanghai Wuning Atwell Suites — is undergoing intensive interior decoration and plans to open at the end of the second quarter this year.

International high-end brands continue to accelerate their layout. Hilton Garden Inn Cao Yang Bai Yun, the first store of Hilton Group in Putuo District, opened at the end of last year. Putuo MOXY Hotel, the first store of Marriott Group in Shanghai this year, will officially debut in April. Meanwhile, along the Putuo section of Suzhou Creek, the ultra-luxury brand Shanghai Edition, Changfeng Park by Marriott Group and a high-end selected hotel by Hyatt will also be launched.

Tongyili on Changshou Road, a Shikumen commercial block, has seen all of its stores being the first store in Putuo District within three months of its opening, with over half of them being the first store in the whole city.

Data shows that over the past three years, the number of various first stores introduced in Putuo has been increasing continuously. In 2024, 97 first stores were introduced, an increase of over 40 percent compared to 2022. Within the UniPark MAX, there are 150 catering brands, over 60 percent of which are regional or city first stores.

During this year's Spring Festival, the 52nd floor of the Global Harbor, with a height of about 258 meters, was opened as a rooftop viewing terrace for citizens to enjoy the view from a height. It is also the highest open-air viewing platform in the city.

Xu Jinghong, vice president of Shanghai Yuexing Group, revealed that the Global Harbor has seen a double increase in consumer flow and revenue in the first quarter. The average daily consumer flow has increased by 8 to 10 percent compared to the same period, and the total revenue has increased by more than 12 percent by the end of February.

Among them, the first store economy continues to expand. The upcoming national first store of J.PHONE HOUSE will create an immersive digital experience space for citizens. Shanghai first stores such as the urban comprehensive entertainment venue PARTYDAY and the new space of POPOME will attract young consumers.