Retail therapy, with empathy

A look at the burgeoning charity store scene in a city where people are flocking to do good for others, Yu Ran reports.

Shanghai has over the past two decades witnessed significant development and changes to its charity sector, as evidenced by the growing number of charity stores that have been popping up across the city.

Charity stores are a relatively new concept in China. Shanghai's first charity store, the Zhenning Road Charity Store in Jing'an district, was opened only 20 years ago.

But in the last decade alone, more than 173 charity stores have been set up in the city. Now, there are 232 stores in total.