Have stamp, will travel: New fad a boost to China’s retail scene

Retailers across China have been tapping the growing trend of stamp-collecting to boost footfall in offline shops. - PHOTOS: AW CHENG WEI, XIAOHONGSHU Via the Straits Times/ANN

BEIJING (The Straits Times/ANN): At Happiness Laboratory, a shop selling stationery and souvenirs along ancient Beijing alley Nanluoguxiang, crowds gathered in one corner, chattering excitedly as they stamped their notebooks with colourful pictures of the capital city’s landmarks.

One visitor was attempting the ambitious task of holding a stencil in place while trying to use nine stamps of varying colours to form a composite picture with some of Beijing’s icons. These include the ancient Bell and Drum towers, Shichahai with its scenic lakes and Nanluoguxiang.