Shanghai is always one of the most important destinations for retailers in China, and this month continued the trend, with four of the stores we found opening there.

Art remains one of the most enduring themes, with a number of spaces including artistic elements in store. These ranged from unique design features, such as a deconstructed makeup piano, to art exhibitions and installations. The melding of art and product encourages the customer to associate one with the other, viewing items as art pieces.

There is also a futuristic style developing for some retailers, who are turning away from the retro influenced trends we have been seeing, in favour of metallics and other contemporary finishes.

Take a look at the best new retail you can find across China.

MAC, Nanjing

Cosmetics giant MAC has redesigned its flagship in honour of its 20th year in China.

The new concept is designed to allow the brand to test different elements that it can roll out to other stores if successful. The look of the store was the work of X+ Living, a Chinese design brand. The aim was to buck the trend of nostalgia in design and instead look to the future. The result is a silver and industrial look, with futuristic and gleaming fixtures and deconstructed items.

A core feature of the new space is a conceptual red and silver piano that combines makeup and music. The lipsticks trigger black piano keys meaning that the piano can be played, and there are tuning knobs represented by makeup palettes.

Other features to attract customers include AR mirrors to virtually try on products, a modular space that can be used for makeup testing and workshops, regular events aimed at the Chinese market exploring social media trends, and a personalised gifting station.

Image credit – MINISO

Miniso Space, Nanjing

Another arrival at Deji Plaza is from Miniso, a lifestyle retailer, with its first premium flagship, Miniso Space.

The new store is designed to highlight the collaborations the brand has with a range of IPs, including Harry Potter and Sanrio. In order to create a playful customer journey, these IP collaborations have also influenced the design of the space.

Popular ranges and limited edition products are available for customers to browse, including the launch of Wakuku, a collection of dolls. Customers will also find opportunities to take photographs in the colourful and bright space.

Lama Hourani, Shanghai

A debut solo store arrived in Shanghai from Lama Hourani, a jewellery designer from Jordan.

The designer’s roots are evoked in the name of the store, Beit, the Arabic word for house. The space, however, is less cosy and more rustic, with natural materials like terracotta alongside cement and marble pieces.

Hourani has decorated the store with Chinese dining table inspired display cabinets for jewellery, and a number of modern art pieces. These include works from celebrated Chinese female artists Fu Xiaotong and Lin Fanglu. The designer has also created a number of pieces herself, including a Lova Wall and other sculptural pieces.

To encourage customers to take their time and explore the space, the store also includes a collection of books on design and poetry.

Popop, Shanghai

Another jewellery store also launched in Shanghai, from toy brand Pop Mart.

The new space, called Popop, is the first store for its new jewellery range. The store reflects the design ethos of Popop, cream walls and pale green, rounded design features and the four leaf clover symbol.

Customers can find the range of Popop jewellery, including bracelets, necklaces and rings featuring the brand’s popular characters such as Skull Panda and Hirono. To ensure that shoppers have space to browse and receive attentive customer service, the store is limited to 20 people at a time.

The most popular item (which immediately sold out) featured viral craze Labubu. 

Image credit – LVMH

Louis Vuitton, Shanghai

Luxury brand Louis Vuitton sailed into Shanghai this month with its new ship-shaped store.

The space, called The Louis, is part of the brand’s concept Visionary Journeys. The new concept exemplifies Louis Vuitton’s journey from a luggage designer to fashion brand, and features a retail space, exhibition and cafe.

The design of the store is influenced by the brand’s heritage of designing trunks for ocean voyages, with the space containing an archway made of cases, and the exhibition including a trunk owned by Ernest Hemingway. Customers can explore a range of the Louis Vuitton archives and creations through a series of themed rooms: Origins, Voyage, Workshop, Fashion, Sport, Perfume and Books.

Tumi, Shanghai

Luggage brand Tumi has launched its first flagship in Shanghai.

The design of the store reflects the brand’s modern ethos. The roof and exterior walls of the store are covered with a metallic structure to evoke Tumi’s 19 Degree range.

Inside the design is more serene, combining stone and marble with neutral colours. The space also includes an art exhibition from Xu Fei, a Chinese artist. The piece, called Journey, uses bamboo, and also reflects the brand story.

Customers will be able to purchase from the range of luggage and accessories for men and women, which are gathered in themes to aid discovery.