Shanghai: How the coffee shop culture became popular in the city

Shanghai has seen a boom in cafes, with the government claiming it now has more than any other place in the world.

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China’s financial capital now has so many coffee shops that the government claims it has the most of any city in the world.

The city’s café culture has been developing for years, but the post-Covid opening up has really given it a boost, as locals embrace outdoor living, looking for places to meet their friends and family.

However, with so many new establishments, the competition for customers has become fierce. Most owners we spoke to don’t think all these businesses can survive.

Shanghai officials say there are “more than 8,000 cafes in the city”. And a report by the Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival, recorded 9,553 coffee shops at the end of 2023.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crgk1ll00myo

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