Audio guide service debuts on Nanjing Road
Audio guides for shopping and services at the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall, a commercial landmark of Shanghai, are now available to visitors as the city moves to develop the digital economy and boost consumption.
The service is provided by Shanghai-based online radio platform Ximalaya, along with an association of Nanjing Road firms. The online service is supported by the local industry regulator.
The service, called Audio Nanjing Road, offers tourist guides, shopping coupons, brand introductions, online lectures, broadcast shows and various virtual experiences, all of which are available 24 hours per day, according to Ximalaya and the Shanghai Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall Enterprises Association.
The century-old shopping street is home to more than 20 time-honored Chinese brands and a large number of international names. Annual sales on the street exceed 18 billion yuan (US$2.55 billion), and last year it attracted more than 200 million visitors.
The audio project will attract more shoppers to Nanjing Road, both online and offline, to boost consumption and the city’s digital economy, said Ximalaya, which now has 600 million users and 10 million broadcasters.
Shanghai is developing its digital economy to stimulate growth after the pandemic. It's also holding the Double Five Shopping Festival with sales and discounts to boost consumption. The audio service, a part of the festival, is expected to further boost potential demands, said the Shanghai Commission of Commerce.
Before that, the association also joined with Douyin (or TikTok known overseas) to promote the digital transformation of the shopping area.
Visitors try new audio services at the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall on Monday.
