Beijing key commercial enterprises record 8.45 billion yuan during the Spring Festival

This article is reprinted from: Beijing News

Key Beijing Businesses Earn 8.45 Billion Yuan During Spring Festival

Physical retail sales increased by 12.4% year-on-year, with over 51 million visitors in 60 key commercial districts. Consumption by inbound tourists for shopping surged by 73.2%.

The “Three-piece Set” from Daoxiangcun in Beijing was sold out at Longfu Temple Market, robots served hot tea to visitors at Haidian Science and Technology Temple Fair, and the song “Sending Winter Festival” echoed in Chaoyang Park—during the 9-day “longest Spring Festival holiday” in 2026, Beijing’s consumer market delivered a vibrant performance: sales from monitored enterprises reached 8.45 billion yuan, physical retail grew by 12.4% year-on-year, over 51 million visitors in 60 key commercial districts, and inbound tourist shopping spending skyrocketed by 73.2%.

Traditional and trendy collide, technology and culture blend—this Spring Festival in Beijing saw a more lively consumer atmosphere than previous years. Beijing News Reporter Chen Lin

On February 19, during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Haidian Spring Technology Temple Fair, children and robots danced together. Beijing News Reporter Pu Feng photographed.

Citywide Coordination

Spring Festival Consumer Vouchers Distributed Worth 83 Million Yuan

Key monitored sectors such as department stores, supermarkets, specialty shops, restaurants, and e-commerce achieved a total sales of 8.45 billion yuan. Notably, physical retail performed exceptionally well, with a 12.4% increase year-on-year, truly thriving in both people and funds.

According to mobile signaling and third-party big data, during the holiday, the total foot traffic in 60 key commercial districts reached 51.09 million visits, a 5.8% increase; consumer spending amounted to 15.43 billion yuan, up 2.2%.

“Got it! Spend 1,000 yuan and get 200 yuan off—just right for that coat,” said Ms. Zhang, a resident of Chaoyang District, at 10 a.m. on the second day of the Lunar New Year, as she opened her phone to claim her Spring Festival consumer voucher.

This Spring Festival, city and district levels coordinated efforts, launching a “combo punch.” Multiple areas including Xicheng, Chaoyang, Shijingshan, and Economic Development Zone implemented online and offline joint initiatives, focusing on retail, dining, and automobiles, distributing 83 million yuan in Spring Festival consumer vouchers to help citizens prepare for the New Year, update their wardrobes, buy new cars, and enjoy discounts.

Daxing District introduced the “Receipt Linkage” mechanism, where one movie ticket stub could be used for discounts across multiple commercial districts; Fengtai District used mini-programs for daily lotteries and large discount coupons; Haidian District created a “Flowers Add Joy” themed digital check-in and AI intangible cultural heritage experiences, giving traditional temple fairs a technological touch; Yanqing District developed indoor and outdoor ice and snow parks and intangible cultural heritage markets to invigorate suburban consumption.

The “Prize-winning Invoice” pilot activity jointly launched by Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei increased its investment in Beijing during the Spring Festival to nine times the usual. Nearly 4.49 million participants won nearly 4 million invoices, adding an unexpected joy to holiday spending.

Technology Empowerment

Robots as “Shop Assistants” and Autonomous “Shopping Delivery”

“Hello, here is your hot tea. Please enjoy,” said a special “shop assistant” serving visitors at the Spring Technology Fair in Haidian District. It was not a person but an intelligent service robot.

Smart New Year Markets, robot “hottest shop assistants,” AI intangible cultural heritage experiences—deep integration of technology and consumer scenes led to an 86.3% increase in foot traffic in Zhongguancun business district. Mr. Li, visiting with his children, remarked, “I originally wanted to let my kids experience the New Year atmosphere, but I ended up having the most fun myself.”

In Economic Development Zone, new innovations emerged. “Carrot Run” autonomous driving teamed up with surrounding districts to launch the city’s first autonomous ride-and-shop discount event. Riding an unmanned vehicle, shoppers could also receive mall discount coupons—this fusion of “technology + consumption” boosted consumption in Yizhuang core business district by 23.9% year-on-year.

Inbound Tourism

Foreigners Love to “Shop 'Til They Drop” in Beijing

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Russian folk songs echoed in Chaoyang Park. The Moscow traditional “Sending Winter Festival” celebration was held here, with many foreigners and Chinese tourists singing and dancing together.

This Spring Festival, Beijing experienced a surge of “coming to China for the New Year.” The city launched five major check-in lists, ten themed routes, and New Year gifts, precisely catering to inbound tourism needs. According to third-party big data, inbound tourists’ shopping consumption in Beijing increased by 73.2% year-on-year.

Beijing Capital Airport’s Wangfujing Duty-Free First Store was inaugurated, and Daxing Airport’s Spring Market created a one-stop international shopping scene. Haidian District’s Wukesong Wanda Overseas Electronic Coupons covered seven countries and regions, effectively activating cross-border consumption.

The Dadu Temple Fair centered on “tech, international flavor, and Chinese taste,” while the Universal Beijing Resort’s “Global China Year” and the Beijing Olympic Museum’s international temple fair built bridges for cultural exchange. The Yao Olympic Business District saw a 10.8% increase in holiday foot traffic.

Cultural Consumption

Citywide Movie Box Office Reached 170 Million Yuan During Spring Festival

On the evening of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the Poly Theater was bustling. The dance poetry drama “Only This Green” had just finished, and audiences were still discussing enthusiastically. Someone commented, “The green waist is so beautiful, truly only this green.”

This Spring Festival, over 5,000 cultural activities under the theme “Spring Festival Celebrations and the Chinese New Year” were launched, with more than 2,000 commercial performances enriching the cultural offerings. Plays like “Red Under the Flag” and classic Peking Opera “The Lock of the Lian” showcased the cultural charm of the capital.

The film market was equally lively. Blockbuster Spring Festival films like “Silent Chasing” and “Fast & Furious 3” and “Boonie Bears: Year of the Bears” were popular. According to Maoyan data, by 12 p.m. on February 23, the total box office during the holiday reached 170 million yuan.

“Beijing Big Screen” connected filming locations like Wangfujing and Shougang Park, famous scenes, and landmark shopping and dining spots, transforming film IPs into promotional activities. According to third-party big data, cultural and entertainment consumption in Beijing increased by 11.5% during the holiday.