A US student who studies at Soochow University learn to make mooncakes with primary school children on Sept 15, 2020, in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo provided to Suzhou Bureau of Commerce]
The 2023 autumn-winter pro-consumption activities are beginning in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, and 20 million yuan ($2.75 million) consumer vouchers will be distributed in two phases, with 10 million yuan in each phase.
The pro-consumption activities involve supermarkets, appliances, automobiles, catering, platforms, first stores, time-honored brands and cultural tourism and sports.
Businesses will carry out pro-consumption activities including a "Double 11 bargain season" and a "New Year's eve shopping festival" and offer generous benefits like discounts and red envelopes.
The special pro-consumption activities related to green energy-efficient appliances will continue. In addition to the 10 percent government subsidy, enterprises will also provide benefits like trade-ins.
Automobile sellers will hold auto shows, test drives and lucky draws for free orders.
The "2023 Suzhou Catering Industry High-Quality Development Conference" will be held to introduce and recommend seasonal foods, and gourmet festivals will be held as well.
Suzhou will hold a "Double 11 Suzhou original women's clothing festival" with Tmall and Taobao livestreams, and encourage Alipay, Meituan and other platforms to offer sales promotions.
Shopping malls like Suzhou Central will hold special activities such as pre-sale festivals for first stores of fragrance brands and large colorful fireworks shows.
Time-honored brands will hold activities such as carnival-themed fairs and weekend fairs.
Cultural tourism and sports departments will provide travel products and routes and sports programs for winter, including winter sports and hot spring vacations.
Suzhou will hold the opening ceremony for the fourth "Double 12 Suzhou shopping festival" in early December. The distribution of 10 million yuan in consumer vouchers will begin at the ceremony.