SHOPPING DEALS

Shanghai flaunts homegrown flair in dizzying new shopping menu

For those who escape the well-trodden Bund, some great finds and novelties in this fun Shanghai shopping guide — from trendy local designers, to tailors, hidden shikumen finds, French Concession boutiques, and pearls.

by Amy Fabris-Shi

Updated August 2024

SEE ALSO Shanghai hotel guide | Beijing business hotels | Guangzhou business hotels | Hong Kong shopping guide | Kuala Lumpur shopping guide | Bangkok shopping guide | Singapore shopping guide | Songdo smart city guide | Xian fun guide

JUMP TO Nanjing West Road , Huaihai Road, Xintiandi | Tainzifang, French Concession | North Jing'an District | Shanghai tailors | Pearls and antiques

Pedestrian Nanjing Road (centre) is always abustle, leading from The Bund to the city interior. Xintiandi (right) offers mysterious bricked alleys and hidden finds; Atelier Là-bas (far left) offers an array of blue porcelain.

SHANGHAI is shopping obsessed, albeit in a rather new age way. Nowadays, apart from the upscale boutiques along The Bund, which are easy enough to spot, intrepid shoppers are getting into back alleys and heritage red-brick shikumen streets to find the real deals.

Extravagant shopping malls are spread across the city, anchoring districts as hubs of shopping, dining and entertainment. Fifty-six new malls started making an entrance across Shanghai in 2024 alone. They are easily accessible, usually directly adjoining metro stations.

Aside from the staggering array of international and local brands, there are plenty of recreational drawcards to entice. From rooftop basketball courts and trampoline parks to 1,000-tree ‘forests’, pet social areas, and even a 200-year-old church and flour mill – you’ll be amazed at the attractions you can find at these lifestyle landmarks on your Shanghai fun shopping hunt.

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The only thing that seems in short supply are the bag-toting shoppers themselves. Chinese consumers are at the forefront of the omnichannel shopping trend in Asia and are more likely to be sat in the downstairs café scrolling ecommerce site Taobao, checking WeChat mini programs for brand bargains, or watching a livestream by a fashion KOL to make their purchases. 

To build customer engagement, brands are reaching out in increasingly creative ways, transforming stores with curated exhibitions, luxe cafes and festive pop-ups. Weekend leisure for young urbanites often revolves around brand activations – a city walk guided by Bottega Veneta, a Gucci archive exhibition, Nike riverside run or Porsche drive through the bamboo groves.

Shoe brands are popularising runs on The Bund as an edgy lifestyle experiencee (left); The majestic Bund catching the morning light (centre); and revolutionary photos, posters, books and more at Madame Mao's Dowry (right).

The futuristic retail scene means innovative and crowd-free shopping for travellers, but also requires some digital readiness. Cash is almost obsolete and even cards aren’t always readily accepted. Visitors to China should be prepared with digital payment apps including Alipay or Wechat Pay, both of which now have English versions and can link to overseas bankcards. While you’re at it, also download Didi (China) for transport ease.

Head-turning homegrown design

Brand ‘Made in China’ has had a major refresh with a young generation of nation-proud creatives and entrepreneurs honouring traditional Chinese culture and innovation in exciting new ways. From fashion to beauty, homewares to technology, Chinese brands are gaining a strong following at home and internationally.  

In the malls, Chinese electronics brands like Huawei, Xiaomi and DJI, sportswear brands Anta Sports and Li-Ning, fashion and lifestyle brands such as Shang Xia and Icicle, and cosmetics brands including Perfect Diary and Florasis stand proudly alongside their foreign counterparts.

Niche brands can be found tucked away in charming retail enclaves, mostly around the former French Concession and Jing’an. Here, local designers present their wares – everything from hand-embroidered silk robes to modern ceramics and art deco-inspired jewellery – offering trendy updates on classic Chinese styles.

Other good buys in Shanghai include Oriental rosewood antiques, freshwater pearls and custom-made garments from the city’s legendary tailors. On with our fun Shanghai shopping romp.

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Nanjing West, Huaihai Road, Xintiandi

Like many fashion capitals, the city’s two main boulevards – Nanjing West Road and Huaihai Road – are lined with some of the best Shanghai shopping malls brimming with luxury brand stores and high-street labels.

The red-brick Zhang Yuan shikumen redeveloping district (left, photo: Swire) offers heritage with local designers and luxe names; Plaza 66 model (centre); and the modern outline of Taikoo Hui (right).

The Nanjing West Road action is centred between Jing’an Temple and Shimen No.1 Road. Across the road from the gold-capped Buddhist temple (there’s also direct access from Jing’an Temple metro station in the basement), the world’s second-largest Apple store (after Fifth Avenue in NYC) was opened by CEO Tim Cook himself in 2024. Apple Jing’an was designed by Foster + Partners and even has a customised Apple logo incorporating Shanghai’s city flower, the magnolia.

Next door, Jing An Kerry Centre spans a whopping 450,000sqm, comprising luxury shopping, dining, a Shangri-La hotel, residences, office space and, somewhat randomly, an old house where Chairman Mao supposedly once stayed that has been preserved amidst the modern tower blocks and is now a small museum. At Jing An Kerry Centre you’ll find the usual international brand suspects, plus a good supermarket in the basement. There’s plenty of dining with outdoor piazza seating, and also a movie cinema.

Plaza 66 is crammed with more than 100 luxury brands – think: Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Bottega Veneta – on five marble-clad levels. In 2024, Plaza 66 mall introduced the first ‘Buy & Tax Refund’ service for overseas tourists. Eligible shoppers spending between Rmb500-110,00 can receive a tax refund immediately after purchasing their goods. Remember to bring your passport to claim the refund. 

Exiting Nanjing West Rd metro station, you’ll find glitzy Taikoo Hui mall and a massive Starbucks Reserve Roastery. This is also the location of one of the inner-city’s most high-profile commercial and cultural developments. Zhang Yuan is a huge urban shikumen regeneration spanning several inner-city blocks of century-old lane-houses and heritage mansions. Opening in stages over the coming years, the western section currently hosts a roster of luxury brand pop-ups and exhibitions.   

Running parallel to Nanjing West Road through the former French Concession, Huaihai Middle Road is another major shopping street, lined with stylish malls including K11 Art Mall that features a 3,000sqm gallery in the basement hosting a regular schedule of exhibitions.

Find a contemporary take on traditional Chinese design at the delightful Shang Xia Maison (left and centre); and (right) make time to encounter the exciting newfound fragrances at Documents.

In a heritage red-brick mansion at No. 233 Huaihai Middle Rd, don’t miss Shang Xia Maison. Launched in 2010 by French design house Hermes and Shanghainese Creative Director Jiang Qiong’er, Shang Xia – which means ‘up down’ in Mandarin – presents a contemporary take on traditional Chinese design, handcrafted by local artisans following age-old techniques. French-trained Jiang hopes to preserve and renew endangered heritage crafts with her exquisite collection of rare zitan wood furniture, fine eggshell porcelain dishware, and pastel gowns and coats made from hand-pulled Mongolian cashmere. .

Head east from here and you’ll find the revamped Shanghai Times Square, home to the China flagship of Lane Crawford across four fabulously chic levels, showcasing more than 500 fashion, jewellery, beauty and lifestyle brands.

The refashioned traditional lanes and shikumen houses of Xintiandi, at the junction of Huangpi and Madang roads, are popular with travellers on account of the atmospheric array of shopping, dining and entertainment options. The most glittering is the two-storey Harry Winston boutique, which is the largest salon in the world for the New York diamond dealer.

Sleek Chinese perfume brand Documents was founded in 2021 to explore “new Chinese fragrances” and invested in by L’Oreal the following year. Sniff out its signature Eau de Parfum and other evocative scents in signature black packaging at its flagship store Night Temple on Huaihai Rd. At weekends, the innovative brand serves icecream and smoothies inspired by their fragrance notes.

iAPM (@iapmmall, 999 Huaihai Middle Rd) opened in 2014 on what was once the site of Shanghai biggest outdoor counterfeit market. How times have changed. This dazzling shopping destination developed by Hong Kong’s Sun Hung Kai Properties is home to almost 250 high-end boutiques across five levels, anchored by yet another Apple store, an Imax cinema and a CitySuper supermarket. Among the excellent dining options, there are branches of Din Tai Fung, Shanghainese restaurant Laojishi and Bang by Australian chef Mr Willis.

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French Concession boutiques, Tianzifang

For more fun Shanghai shopping, cruise the leafy lanes of the former French Concession home to a range of classy indie designer studios from tiny boutiques and fashionable concept stores to Tianzifang’s touristy appeal. Anfu Road is always packed with city walkers and their pooches exploring the latest boutique offerings, eating crepes and sipping organic wines on the sidewalk.

Suit Supply (left and centre) is a go-to spot for many gentlemen keen on sharply tailored Italian fabric suits; Not Just Pajama (centre right) flashes some pink; and (right) an Xoxogoodboy model.

Starting at the corner of Anfu and Wulumuqi roads, LookNow &Flow is a fashion innovation platform presenting cutting-edge designer brands from China and around the world, including Fendi, Ming Ma, Xoxogoodboy, and PabePabe. There’s often a queue at weekends outside their two-storey store, which showcases a funky collection befitting its casual Gen Z clientele.

Continuing down the road, Suit Supply (suitsupply.com) is a suave menswear atelier for custom suits cut from luxe Italian fabrics with in-store style advisors and tailors. At No. 201-1, Casa Casa (@casacasa_official) is crammed with furnishings and tableware for the modern home.

Check out Not Just Pajama (notjustpajama.com) for cute silk pjs, eye masks and other loungewear ethically sourced and handmade in Shanghai and Suzhou, and Sen Lab (senlab_ecoshop) at No. 271 for well-priced candles and reed diffusers. Their bamboo candles make great Shanghai gifts.

At No. 300, Déjà Vu Recycle Store (WeChat ID: duozhuayu) is a second-hand store selling books in Chinese and English and clothes across two floors. Attractively presented with reminders on the walls about the impact of the fashion industry (“Chinese fashion industry generates 26 million tons of discarded clothes every year, 99% of which will be dumped in landfills or incinerated”), Déjà Vu lets you do your bit to help the earth while snagging pre-loved pieces by Marni, Helmut Lang, rag & bone and more at around 60-80 percent off the original price. Use Wechat to scan the code on the tag to check the prices.

Turning the corner at the end of Anfu Road is stately Wukang Road, Shanghai’s most photographed street lined with heritage villas once inhabited by statesmen and celebrities.

Peering through the framed windows of Catie Lo at No. 105 is like looking into a beautiful vintage storybook where the feminine dresses, shoes, purses, home fragrances, greeting cards and other tchotchkes are displayed in antique cabinets and dressing tables and draped over velvet armchairs.

Refuel with a coffee at the charmingly chilled-out Gathering café (No. 137) before checking out the owner’s ceramic shop next door selling handmade cups, vases and tea sets. Push open the wooden garden gate at No. 129-1 to discover minimalist fashion and lifestyle boutique to Septième (septiemestudio.com) focused on high-quality materials and craftsmanship.

The Déjà Vu Recycle Store (left) serves up English and Chinese books as well as second-hand clothes across two floors; (right) Triple Major attitude.

Down a residential lane off Julu Road (House 6, Lane 820 Julu Rd to be exact), several Shanghai-based foreign designers run indie brands that reflect their love for their adopted city and make joyful Shanghai keepsakes.

Studio NooSH (instagram.com/studionoosh) was founded by two French and Dutch expat women during the pandemic with a focus on the home, sustainability and craftsmanship. Their range of gorgeous linen tableware, bedding and loungewear features stylish contemporary colours and delicate hand-embroidered motifs – from dumplings to crabs and temples to the Shanghai Pearl Tower. They can also be custom made with an initial, name or message. Studio NooSH also hosts regular pop-ups by other local designers, such as Atelier Là-bas (instagram.com/atelier_la_bas), a new French-Chinese brand that creates modern interpretations of traditional Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain.

Brazilian jewellery designer Fernanda Sung (instagram.com/fernandasungjewel) fell in love with Shanghai’s art deco architecture, which heavily influences her casual silver jewellery. Her collections are sold via her WeChat store but on Fridays and Saturday afternoons, she opens her little French Concession studio so visitors can view the jewellery in person and meet the affable designer.

Madame Mao’s Dowry (Wechat ID: MadameMaos, or madamemaosdowry.com/) stocks an impressive collection of Cultural Revolution inspired art and souvenirs, old photos and other ephemera, alongside fun collectibles by local designers, such as Pinyin Press, Papertiger (facebook.com/PaperTigerShanghai) and Wobabybasics.

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North Jing'an District

In-the-know fashionistas head deep into grungy lanes of north Jing’an, where a collection of former factories has emerged as an enclave of trendy fashion and dining.

Park Mall (@inthepark_official) is a three-storey space featuring a cutting-edge curation of men’s and women’s apparel, jewellery, fragrance, vinyl and books, cool homeware and rare vintage pieces. The avant-garde brand list includes Stockholm Surfboard Club, and notable homegrown brands Soft Mountains, klee klee (instagram.com/kleeklee.cn), 3ge3 Project and An Ko Rau. An in-store wine bar completes the edgy ensemble.

Stylish party shoes for ladies from Catie Lo (left) and a butterfly brooch. Catie Lo is like wandering into a vintage storybook; Studio NooSH (right) has an attractive range of home products to excite all comers.

Around the corner, in a sunny courtyard with bamboo chairs and terracotta pots of herbs, Aentos (aentoshome.com) is a Shanghai-based home fragrance brand with apothecary vibes promoting a slower more intentional and sustainable lifestyle. Their range of soy candles, essential oils and rock diffusers feature calming botanical scents.

Next door, XC273 (xcommons.com) strikes a very different vibe. In their own words: “XC273 is both a code and a symbol: we refrain from using words to label this space”. We’ll have a crack… The three-storey concrete bunker was a 1930s towel factory. A steel staircase zigzags through the middle of the 15-meter-high cavern, at the base of which is a large pink sunken pool – rather like something from a James Bond movie. The setting almost overshadows the fabulous fashions, by the likes of Nanushka, Dries Van Noten, Helmut Lang and Samuel Gui Yang. On the third floor, the ARCHIVISM Showroom is an interactive gallery space showcasing avant-garde and vintage archival pieces in surprising scenarios.

Triple Major (No. 1, 25 Shaoxing Road), a creative studio/concept store from Beijing, has taken over a four-storey lanehouse and filled it with cool designs from independent, progressive labels from around the world, such as Anntian, Daniel Palillo, Henrik Vibskov, alongside its own-brand pieces. Funky footwear, standout-from-the-crowd outfits, covetable homeware and a collection of books and magazines are displayed like gallery installations. Meanwhile, ladies will lust over the handpicked looks from Hervé Léger, Proenza Schouler and Rebecca Minkoff at The Villa (1 Taojiang Road).

Peering through the framed windows at Catie Lo (105 Wukang Road) is like looking into a beautiful vintage storybook where the feminine dresses, shoes, purses, home fragrances, greeting cards and other tchotchkes are displayed in antique cabinets and dressing tables and draped over velvet armchairs. In a standalone boutique on the quiet end of Changle Road, find organic skincare infused with Chinese herbal ingredients like goji, hawthorn and mulberry at Ba Yan Ka La (1221 Changle Road). The beautifully scented lotions, handmade soaps and candles make lush Shanghai souvenirs.

Made in China is the rage for Shanghai shoppers and with good reason - local designers are churning out eye-popping stuff from Fernanda Sung's (left) silver jewellery to Paper Tiger (centre) and Klee Klee (right).

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Shanghai tailors: a bespoke look

Shanghai’s legendary tailors can whip up a custom-made wardrobe in a matter of days. Start with a trip to the South Bund Fabric Market (399 Lujiabang Rd), where multiple air-conditioned levels offer vast reams of fabric and trimmings at bargain prices. Bring your favourite pieces and have the onsite tailors sew made-to-measure replicas in a day or few. Expect to pay approximately Rmb600 for a suit including material and workmanship.

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Pearls, antiques, Hongqiao

Shanghai is close to China’s freshwater pearling areas of Jiangsu province and is therefore a great place to buy these precious gems. Mark this down in your Shanghai shopping diary. Shanghai Hongqiao International Pearl City (3721 Hongmei Rd) is a multi-level pearl emporium. Most of the action is found on the third floor, where vendors sell a wide array of freshwater pearls and semi-precious stones, along with inexpensive crystal and plastic beads. Buy readymade jewellery or create your own custom designs, which can be strung on the spot.

The five-storey wholesale antique market at Cang Bao Lou (457 Fangbang Middle Road) is a good place to scavenge for Cultural Revolution memorabilia, Buddhist statuary, art deco furniture and even opium pipes. Although many of the wares are ersatz, this is still great souvenir territory and keen eyes will occasionally spot a genuine antique prize. Bargain hard.

For antique rosewood furniture, head to the warehouse showroom of Hu & Hu Antiques in far-flung Hongqiao (Qing Xi Road 601-38, by Honggu Rd). The sisters-in-law Hu have a massive collection of well-restored Chinese antiques and customised reproductions, delivered fuss-free thanks to their fixed-pricing policy and international shipping.

And if all this frantic Shanghai fun shopping hasn’t left you with a bruised wallet and swollen feet, then strap on your (probably new) dancing shoes and head for a night on the famed Shanghai tiles.

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