The Tongzhou District Bureau of Commerce recently released the Implementation Guidelines for Promoting High-Quality Development of Commercial Economy in Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (hereinafter referred to as the Guidelines), which explicitly support the development of the "first-store economy".

According to the Guidelines, brands and introducing parties that open a first store in the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (Beijing MC) and receive municipal-level "first-store" funding are eligible for financial support of up to CNY 1.5 million from Tongzhou District. Domestic and international brands that open their first store in Asia, China's mainland, or Beijing, or set up a flagship store or an innovative concept store — all located in the Beijing MC — will be granted a one-time subsidy of CNY 500,000 if they are recognized by the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau and demonstrate stable performance and strong growth potential. Domestic and international brands recognized by the Tongzhou District Bureau of Commerce for opening a district-level first store may also receive a one-time grant of CNY 100,000, subject to meeting relevant criteria.

In the Beijing MC, commercial operation and management companies will be granted a one-time subsidy of CNY 100,000 for each new brand's first store they bring in, as recognized by the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau. Each company is eligible for a maximum subsidy of CNY 500,000 in total.

Tongzhou District also supports the renovation and upgrades of traditional malls and commercial areas listed in Beijing's key commercial district directory. Operators receiving municipal-level funding for commercial district quality improvement projects will be granted an additional 15 percent of the municipal funding, up to a maximum of CNY 750,000. Those receiving municipal funding for the high-quality development of commercial pedestrian streets may receive up to CNY 600,000. Project management entities recognized as municipal-level featured consumption districts will be granted a one-time subsidy of CNY one million.

(Source: Beijing Daily)