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shanghaiceltic
Board Royalty
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 7627
Location: Perth WA
Status: Offline
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  Posted:
Mar 17, 2006 - 11:51 AM |
 
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| Post subject: Xianyang to close in June |
From todays Shanghai Daily:
Cant say I will miss it as such but it does mean that the very small stallholders will loose a living.
Death knell sounds at city's bargain central
Dai Qian
2006-03-17
Shanghai's Xiangyang market will close in late June to make way for subway construction and a possible commercial project. — Zhang Suoqing
THE long-threatened closing of one of Shanghai's most famous attractions - the Xiangyang Fashion and Gift Market - will take place at the end of June, the market's operator said yesterday.
The 40,000-square-meter bazaar at the intersection of Huaihai and Xiangyang roads will be cleared for Metro construction and a possible commercial project featuring new office buildings and retail outlets.
But where Shanghai shoppers - and millions of tourists - will go for bargain clothing, sunglasses, shoes and countless other personal items is far from certain.
The market's operator, the New Shanghai International Center Development Co, said only that the city's premier outdoor bazaar is shutting its doors on June 30 and there are no relocation plans.
The market's 800 merchants, however, don't intend to quit the business. Many are heading for other parts of the city, though there seemed to be no consensus yesterday on a single site.
Meanwhile, the haggling is hotter than ever as the vendors try to unload their goods, many of which are knockoffs of famous brands.
The operator of one small shirt stall reported a rush of customers who heard earlier shutdown rumors and are trying to beat the wrecking ball. Though he was losing money in past months because of rising rents and increased competition, he is now turning a profit of 200 yuan (US$25) to 300 yuan a day.
Consumer complaints are also on the upswing as merchants are apparently less concerned about keeping repeat customers satisfied. Some 30 disputes over product quality or sales practices were filed in the first two weeks of March, about the same as in an entire month in less hectic times.
"The most important task now is to keep the market in good order until it is closed," said an official in the market operator's office who declined to be identified.
He also declined to say what will happen to Xiangyang's vendors, many of whom have been operating there since November 2000.
One possible site mentioned in November when speculation first arose about the market's closure was the Longhua area of Xuhui District, which is in the city's southwest and farther from the downtown.
Other possible options include the clothing and accessories markets on Qipu Road in Hongkou District and the Yuyuan Garden area in Huangpu District.
For the most, dealers yesterday took the shutdown news calmly.
"It was bound to happen sooner or later as we were already told the market would be closed in the middle of this year," said Li Qiao, a dealer in men's shirts, adding that she hasn't decided on her next place of business.
After the vendors move out, the land will be cleared for urban construction SUN Hung Kai Properties Ltd, Hong Kong's biggest developer by market value, has paid most of an undisclosed purchase fee to develop a commercial project and is awaiting final government approval, a source familiar with the deal said yesterday. |
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I have parrallel bars at home, one for gin and one for whiskey |
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skyline5k
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 06, 2004
Posts: 8704
Location: i am ERROR
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Mar 17, 2006 - 12:11 PM |
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yu888
Board Deity
Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 18057
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH
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Mar 17, 2006 - 01:52 PM |
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I actually kind of like the place. Pure capitalism. Bad service, stupid consumers. ha ha, kind of a fun place for those willing or able to deal under such conditons. and all in one place.  |
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Thoughts & updates about Shanghai On my Blog for more details:Random Thoughts about Living in Shanghai...and more |
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bougie
Board Buddha
Joined: Nov 20, 2004
Posts: 13323
Location: Wuhan Hubei China
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Mar 17, 2006 - 02:22 PM |
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But is it June 2006? Hasn't this thing been posponed at least 18 times?
Rubber time schedule ... like at work |
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