Fake market with no fakes, crowds dwindle

The Shanghai Daily reports that The Longhua Fashion and Gift Market is struggling to attract patrons. The Longhua market attracted the bulk of the vendors from the closure of Xiangyang market last June, however it appears that patrons have decided to give this location the big swerve.

The main reasons that spring slowly to our mind include the distant location from downtown (yes, Xujiahui isn’t downtown people), and the relatively poor transportation options to get you there.

However, after reading the above article, Shanghaiist tends to believe that perhaps this could be the reason.

According to market officials, one attraction of Xiangyang market is not to be found at Longhua - fake designer goods.

"We sign an honest management agreement with every dealer. It is also included into the lease contract not to trade in fake goods," the official said.

There are also alleged rumours that Longhua market officials believe pigs can fly and that the Earth is flat¡.

When in search of over-priced offers of sale and forging long-lasting relationships with our vendor friends, Shanghaiist prefers to hit the Yatai Shenghui Underground Shopping Centre (beneath the Science & Technology Museum forecourt in Pudong) and the Fenxiang Clothing Accessories Market located at 580 Nanjing Xi Lu (a stone’s throw from Wujiang Food Street and Nanjing West Metro Station). We also know from experience that we can get our Tiffarny and Louis Vuition branded dongxi there.

Support our struggling vendor friends. The Longhua Fashion and Gift Market is located at 2465 Longhua Road near Huarong Road, Xuhui District.

Photo by monkeyking found via the Shanghaiist Contribute page.