Opportunities in China’s night-time economy

Article: Opportunities in China's night-time economy
European companies looking to tap into China’s domestic consumption market should pay attention to a sector that is often overlooked: the night-time economy. In this article, Yacheng Sun, Maggie Wenjing Liu and Lesley Luyang Song examine the policy landscape, regional developments and practical opportunities for foreign businesses.

China's night-time economy - defined as service-sector consumption occurring between 6 pm and 6 am - has emerged as a critical driver of domestic consumption and urban vitality. According to industry research, the market scale increased from Chinese yuan (CNY) 22.54 trillion in 2018 to CNY 50.25 trillion in 2023. Ministry of Commerce surveys indicate that 60 per cent of urban consumption occurs during night-time hours, with major shopping centres generating more than half of their daily sales between 6 pm and 10 pm.

China's four unique advantages
China possesses four distinctive advantages for developing its night-time economy that distinguish it from other major economies and create opportunities for foreign businesses:

Public safety: Chinese cities rank among the world’s safest for night-time commercial activity. Residents can walk the streets late at night with a sense of security far exceeding most Western countries, providing the fundamental prerequisite for night-time consumption and reducing operational risk for businesses.

Advanced digital infrastructure: Mobile payment penetration exceeds 90 per cent, and 5G networks provide extensive coverage, creating a solid foundation for the digital transformation of night-time commerce.

Widespread delivery networks: Millions of delivery riders constitute a 24-hour logistics network that not only satisfies consumer demand but also creates substantial employment opportunities, allowing businesses to extend service hours without requiring customers to visit physical locations.

Deep cultural heritage: From Tang and Song dynasty night markets to the modern night-time economy, over a thousand years of tradition has cultivated unique night-time consumption habits and cultural identity among Chinese consumers.

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Source:
EU CHamber's magazine EURObiz (Issue 90, Jan/Feb 2026)