SHANGHAI,Nov.10(Xinhua)--Hustleandbustlewasthedominantfeatureofthe7thChinaInternationalImportExpo(CIIE)heldfromNov.5toNov.10inShanghai,butsomebrandsdidtrytoprovideaslow-livingcornerinabidtocaptureasliceofthecountry'sburgeoningmarketforleisureexperiences.
IntheCIIE'sFoodandAgriculturalProductsZone,SwisschocolatecompanyLindt&SprungliofferedararemasterclassledbyThomasSchnetzler,oneofthefiveLindtMasterChocolatiers.
"Ihopepeoplecanreallytakethatmomenttotreatthemselvesandindulgeinthemelt-in-your-mouthpleasureofchocolate,"saidSchnetzler,whowasonhisthirdvisittoChina.ThisyearwashisandLindt&Sprungli'sfirstparticipationattheCIIE.
Thecompany,whichenteredtheChinesemarketin2012,issettoexplorethemarketmorethoroughly,andcreateawiderrangeofhigh-qualitychocolateproductsforChineseconsumers,whoareembracingthefreshchocolateculture.
"Ithinkit(theChinesemarket)justhasmassivepotential,aspeoplehereareopentotryinglotsofdifferentproducts,"Schnetzlersaid,addingthathewasproudtoseethatthecompany'sLINDORandLESPYRENEENSproductsareverypopularamongChineseconsumers.
The2024CIIEalsosawa45-minute-longyogaexerciseledbythreeyogamasters.Over150peoplewithintheexhibitioncenterparticipatedinthisyogasession.TherelaxingexperiencewasorganizedbyCanadianathleticapparelbrandlululemon,whichwasalsoafirst-timeparticipantattheexpothisyear.
"WhenwewerepreparingfortheCIIEwiththeorganizingstaff,wefoundthattheywerealwaysverybusy.Thentheideaofputtingonayogasessioncameintobeing,toeasethehurryandstressofparticipantsandpromoteourideaofwell-beingandabalancedandhealthylife,"saidLynnCheah,seniorvicepresidentofbrandmarketingatlululemonChina.
AsurveyonhowChinesespendtheirtimereleasedinlateOctoberbytheNationalBureauofStatisticsshowedthatChina'sresidentsspendanaverageof2hoursand33minutesadayonleisureandculturalactivities.
Meanwhile,participantsinsportsandfitnessactivitiesinChinainvestanaverageof1hourand10minutesperdayinsuchpursuits,whiletheparticipationrateinsportsandfitnessactivitiesamongChineseresidentshasincreasedby18.7percentagepointscomparedto2018,reaching49.6percent,accordingtothesurvey.
lululemonhasexperiencedstronggrowthsinceenteringtheChinesemainlandmarketin2013.Todate,thebrandhasopenedmorethan130storesacrossChina.
"By2026,weexpecttheChinesemainlandtobecomeoursecond-largestmarketworldwide,withover200stores,"saidAndreMaestrini,executivevicepresidentforlululemon'sinternationalmarket.
"WearecommittedtokeepinvestinginChinatounlockfurthergrowthpotentialhereasweengagemorepeopleintothebrand,"Maestriniadded.