Beijing added 483 first stores and hosted more than 520 product launches, debut shows, exhibitions and premiere events in the first half of 2026, according to the latest statistics from the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau.

First-store openings and brand debut events have not only attracted consumers but also brought new vitality to Beijing's commercial industry. In recent years, Beijing has introduced a series of policies to boost fashion consumption and foster new business formats, business models and consumption scenarios. The city has been building itself into a national center for brand launches, attracting leading domestic and international brands to open first stores and hold debut events.

In terms of first-store development, Wangfujing, Sanlitun, the CBD and Shuangjing recorded the largest number of new first stores, forming the core commercial matrix for Beijing's first-store economy. Commercial districts including Xidan Financial Street, Changying, Chaoqing, Wangjing and Dongzhimen also maintained steady growth, creating a more balanced spatial distribution across the city.

Among these new openings, first stores in catering sector remained highly active, covering hotpot, fast food, fusion cuisine, coffee and tea beverages, with both international premium brands and local specialty restaurants expanding their presence. Retail first stores mainly focused on fashion apparel, premium cosmetics, outdoor sports, gold jewelry and trendy cultural and creative products, reflecting the obvious experiential and scenario-based consumption features.

During the first half of the year, more than 520 debut events were held across the city covering multiple fields such as technology, fashion, culture and commerce. Launch events encompass multiple tracks including books and cultural products, cutting-edge technologies and automobiles, while new releases featuring outdoor technology products and intangible cultural heritage-inspired creative goods catered to increasingly diversified consumer demand.

Beijing also hosted a series of cross-sector debut shows, including AI-powered dance performances, Chinese-style fashionable clothing debut and immersive showcases by premium lifestyle brands. The city also hosted a series of domestic and international theatrical premieres, as well as debut exhibitions spanning art, cultural relics and technology, continuously stimulating the vitality of Beijing's cultural consumption