Beijing Consumer Brightness "Report Card": Over 4,600 Flagship Stores Landed, China Open Box Office Sets Records

The National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference just concluded. In this year’s government work report, expanding domestic demand was once again listed as the top priority task. According to the Municipal Bureau of Commerce, since the comprehensive launch of the cultivation and construction of international consumer center cities in July 2021, Beijing has focused on its “international” positioning, centered on “consumption,” and highlighted its “center” functions. Through a series of innovative measures, consumption has become a strong engine for the city’s development.

Data shows that from first-store economy to digital consumption, from top-tier events to commercial district revitalization, Beijing’s development as an international consumer center city has entered the fast lane.

Over 4,600 Brand First Stores Launched in Beijing

Walking through the capital, new consumption experiences are everywhere. As a key indicator of urban commercial vitality, Beijing’s first-store economy continues to thrive. Since 2021, the city has attracted over 4,600 first stores (flagship stores) of various types, successfully cultivating 22 first-store vitality centers and first-store cluster centers, bringing continuous freshness and “global debut” shopping experiences to consumers.

Digital consumption also leads nationwide. Beijing has recognized 35 municipal-level特色直播电商基地 (special live-streaming e-commerce bases). Among the top 100 MCN organizations nationwide, Beijing accounts for 24, ranking first in the country.

Smart commercial districts are accelerating their implementation. Sanlitun and Taikoo Li South District have been selected as the first batch of demonstration smart commercial districts and stores nationwide. The “Galaxy Space Capsule” humanoid robot project at Zhongguancun Dalian City integrates technological sense directly into consumption scenes. Additionally, to improve shopping convenience for overseas tourists, Beijing pioneered the “city-wide tax refund, multi-point processing” model, with nearly 1,600 duty-free shops allowing global visitors to “buy and refund immediately,” making shopping worry-free.

Last Year’s China Open Ticket Sales Hit Record High, Driving 36 Million Yuan in Consumption

Beijing’s cultural, tourism, sports, and health service consumption also flourishes. From the “Follow the Events to Tour Beijing” ten themed routes to the announcement of the first batch of 25 intangible cultural heritage workshops, Beijing continues to upgrade its cultural and tourism experiences.

In major international events, Beijing successfully hosted the 2025 FINA Diving World Cup Finals and the World Women’s Volleyball League. The 2025 China Open tennis tournament achieved ticket sales of 88 million yuan, setting a new record, and successfully drove a total consumption of 36 million yuan, a 44% increase year-on-year, demonstrating the huge pull of top-tier event IPs on city consumption.

In the health consumption sector, Beijing is vigorously developing internet healthcare. The city now has 110 internet hospitals and 318 medical institutions offering online diagnosis and treatment services, making high-quality medical resources easily accessible.

850-minute Convenience Living Circles Achieved, Covering All Urban Areas

Today, commercial districts have transformed into “urban stages” for experiencing lifestyles. Since 2021, Beijing has added over 5 million square meters of commercial space and, guided by the “Special Plan for the Layout of Commercial Consumption Space in Beijing,” promoted the transformation of traditional commercial districts into “diverse experience” zones. New commercial landmarks like Blue Harbor and Tan Garden incorporate multiple scenes such as “neighborhoods, mountains, water, performances, digital, and nightlife,” becoming vibrant spaces for citizens and tourists alike.

In terms of convenient services, by the end of 2025, the city will have established 850-minute convenience living circles, achieving full coverage of urban areas. Regarding late-night economy, 31 “late-night canteen” themed dining streets have been created, making the city’s “fireworks” atmosphere increasingly vibrant.

274 Old Brands Rejuvenated, 99 Restaurants Listed in Michelin Guide

In brand cultivation, Beijing remains a leading hub for international brands, with 26 multinational consumer companies’ regional headquarters, including Galeries Lafayette and Starbucks, settling in Beijing.

Meanwhile, the local brand ecosystem is thriving, with 274 old brands, including 137 Chinese time-honored brands. The 2026 Spring/Summer Beijing Fashion Week will connect with landmarks like the National Convention Center Phase II, Lianhuachi, and Gubei Water Town, gathering over 300 domestic and international brands to showcase the charm of “Beijing fashion” to the world.

The city’s culinary reputation is also growing. Ninety-nine restaurants have been listed in the Michelin Guide, 35 in the Black Pearl Guide, and 142 on the Dazhong Dianping Must-Eat List, with Beijing’s “taste appeal” increasing daily.

18,000 Key Merchants Achieve Full Coverage of Foreign Card Acceptance

To support the prosperity of the consumer market, Beijing continues to innovate regulatory models and optimize the business environment. By implementing a “no disturbance unless necessary” supervision list, 423,000 consumer-related enterprises have been included in pilot programs. Simplified procedures for “efficiently completing one matter” and measures to optimize the catering industry’s business environment demonstrate the city’s management warmth and wisdom.

In terms of international services, Beijing has built a diversified payment system of “large transactions with cards, small transactions with QR codes, and cash backup.” All 18,000 key merchants now accept foreign cards. The transportation hub functions continue to strengthen, with 120 international and regional flight routes at “dual hubs,” and annual international flight takeoffs and landings reaching 180,000, ranking first nationwide, providing solid transportation support for building an international consumer center city.

A relevant official from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce stated that standing at the new starting point of the “14th Five-Year Plan,” Beijing will implement the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference, focusing on the “Beijing Special Action Plan for Deepening Reform and Boosting Consumption.” The city will continue to make efforts in six areas: increasing income and reducing burdens, accelerating service quality, renewing products, promoting multi-sector integration, upgrading commercial carriers, and optimizing the consumption ecosystem, to push the construction of an international consumer center city to a new level with greater efforts and more practical measures.

Beijing News Reporter: Chen Lin

Editor: Bai Shuang Proofreader: Wang Xin