RELAXED, REFINED — FOREIGN VISITORS IMPRESSED BY 'SHOPPING PARADISE'

Ease of access, instant tax refunds, quality products winning over inbound travelers

While strolling around Shanghai's trendiest shopping precinct on their visit, Vietnamese couple Nhu Truong and Tu Vo had an unexpected opportunity to take part in an exciting new retail trend.

In upmarket Shanghai Xintiandi, the two 30-year-olds noticed an outlet of Harmay — a Chinese multi-brand retailer known internationally for its warehouse-style approach to sales.

Vo, an investment manager at a bank in Vietnam, said that before their five-day Shanghai visit they had watched many TikTok videos of people shopping in Shanghai who shared information about buying reasonably priced cosmetics.