In China, the economy is in a slump, and large shopping malls across the country are eerily quiet. In cities like Qingdao and Dongying in Shandong Province, the malls are deserted. Recently, a video circulating online showed a female store clerk in a mall in Guangxi shouting, “Boss, it’s not that we aren’t working hard, just look outside the store, there are no customers, and inside, it’s all staff…” This scene resonated with many, with mainland Chinese expressing that the woman exposed the reality of many malls and physical stores.
The viral short video captured in a mall in Guangxi shows a female store clerk addressing the owner, highlighting the lack of customers despite their efforts. She points out the stark difference between the empty exterior and the bustling interior.
This video quickly spread on social media platforms, with netizens lamenting the awkward predicament faced by many physical store owners, leaving some bosses in tears.
Some internet users mentioned that young people nowadays are struggling to find jobs, feeling anxious and unable to afford basic necessities, let alone indulge in consumer spending.
On June 24th, a self-media influencer from Dongying, Shandong known as “RabbitSay520,” shared footage of an incredibly deserted mall in the area. The video depicted a vast mall with not a soul in sight, some shops vacated, and others securely locked.
Another netizen, Xu Ruo’an from Qingdao, recently posted a video showcasing the situation at JiaNianHua Haisin Plaza. The mall, despite its beauty, lacked customers but had an abundance of employees, prompting the question of how the owner could turn a profit under such circumstances.
Xu Ruo’an mentioned that JiaNianHua Haisin Plaza is known as one of the most beautiful malls in Qingdao, situated by the sea with a vast building area exceeding 140,000 square meters. Despite hosting predominantly international brands, there was a lack of foot traffic. The mall mainly sells clothing and jewelry on the first floor.
“I haven’t seen a single customer since entering this mall. The only people I see are employees. The environment is good, but even after going up to the second floor, there are still no customers,” Xu Ruo’an remarked.
A netizen from Guangdong, Afeng, commended the effort of the female store clerk in Guangxi and expressed concern over the portrayal of empty malls filled with staff but devoid of customers, driving some employees to the brink of insanity.
He elaborated, “This is a nationwide issue. When I enter stores, it’s mainly to enjoy the air conditioning without purchasing anything, simply because I am financially strained. Apart from barber shops, I seldom spend money at other offline establishments.”
The weak Chinese economy and the ensuing downturn across various industries are undeniable facts.
In February of this year, a political scholar from Shanghai using the pseudonym Jiang Feng published an article titled “The Arrival of the Great Depression: A Historic Moment of ‘Shanghai-fication'” in which he observed the demise of China’s reform and opening-up witnessed in recent years and the inevitable onset of a severe economic downturn. The premature closure and vacation of businesses and factories this year have surpassed previous records, signaling a widespread economic slump with business owners fleeing becoming a new norm.