People dine at a restaurant in Hai'an, Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

From packed restaurants to a buzzing retail scene, Hai'an is riding a wave of commercial vitality driven by first stores, debut products, and immersive exhibitions.

The newly opened Luzhouyue Fusion Restaurant, Jiangsu's first of its kind, saw overwhelming demand on its first day. Meanwhile, the Nantong debut of Little Elephant Bakery's butter pretzel has become a viral hit, with over 30,000 sold monthly. Nantong's first VR cinema is also drawing crowds with its immersive experiences, prompting young residents to say, "There's no need to go to big cities—Hai'an is trendy enough!"

The city is also becoming a hotbed for product launches. Gree's Jinghong air conditioner made its Jiangsu debut in Hai'an, selling 91 units on launch day and over 1,000 to date. Similarly, the upcoming release of the Nezha-themed smartwatch from Xiaotiancai has already sparked numerous pre-orders.

First stores and exhibitions are more than just marketing—they're shaping Hai'an's urban character. Cultural events like the Kangxi-themed exhibition at the Hai'an Museum, co-hosted with China's Cultural Relics Exchange Center, offer residents a meaningful connection to history. Since opening, the exhibition has sold nearly 22,600 tickets.

With over 200 Hai'an first stores and 30 Nantong firsts already open, the first-store economy is transforming the city's commercial landscape. From dining and retail to cultural and tech experiences, Hai'an is emerging as a vibrant new destination for consumers and brands alike.