Photos: CNY uber-crowds - supermarkets that look like railway stations
After every Chinese New Year holiday, the obligatory shots of China’s rammed-full railway stations, airports and highways fill media feeds. With over 9 billion trips squeezed into a little over a month, travel hubs are obviously pushed to the limit. Nevertheless, it isn’t just Chinese waiting for the long trip home who face the massive crowds - those wanting to buy the groceries are inundated too…
Supermarket Frenzy: A Battle for New Year's Goods
CNY crowds at Sam’s Club. Source: Du Hengfeng, editor of Daily Economic News
Beyond the travel rush, another battleground has emerged: supermarkets and wholesale clubs. Retail giants like Sam’s Club, Walmart, Hema, and Yonghui became overwhelmed with shoppers stocking up on New Year’s essentials over the Chinese New Year period. From early morning until late at night, these stores are packed wall-to-wall with customers trying to get their hands on everything from festive decorations and snacks to fresh produce and alcohol for family gatherings.
Reports from Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chengdu describe a near-unmanageable flood of shoppers. In Sam’s Club stores, the situation reached the point where finding a shopping cart was nearly impossible. Staff members, including store supervisors and even HR personnel, were deployed to assist with cart retrieval and crowd management.
“We waited in line for over half an hour just to enter the store,” lamented one shopper, echoing sentiments shared across social media. “Inside, it felt like a temple fair – chaotic, packed, and loud.”
Even on weekdays, supermarket entrances were clogged with long queues, with some locations implementing entry controls to manage the overwhelming demand. At Hangzhou’s Sam’s Club, customers were only allowed in batches, and signs warned of wait times extending beyond 10 minutes.
Throngs of shoppers at Sam’s Club stocking up for CNY. Source: NetEase News
A Golden Opportunity for Shopping Agents
With many unwilling or unable to brave the crowds, the personal shopping agent industry has thrived. Some individuals have turned this seasonal rush into a lucrative business, purchasing goods on behalf of others. One agent in Xinxiang, working at Pangdonglai, reported a 40% increase in orders compared to normal months. On peak days, he and his team handled over 800 orders, earning six-figure (yuan) profits by reselling bulk-purchased goods at a markup.
Delivery Services Struggle to Keep Up
For those hoping to avoid the chaos, online shopping remains an alternative - but even here, the demand surge comes with its own challenges. Platforms like Sam’s Club, Hema, and Dingdong Maicai have had to increase delivery fees during the Spring Festival period to compensate couriers working through the holidays.
From January 23 to February 5, Sam’s Club added a ¥3 ($0.42) Spring Festival delivery surcharge per order. Similarly, Hema has introduced a ¥6 ($0.83) delivery fee per order between January 26 and February 4. While some customers have expressed frustration, many recognize the necessity of the surcharge to ensure delivery workers are fairly compensated.
A Festive Rush Unlike Any Other
While stressful, this period is also a testament to the resilience and excitement of Chinese New Year traditions. Whether battling crowds at Sam’s Club, waiting in airport security lines, or paying extra for home delivery, the rush is an integral part of the festive experience—one that millions embrace year after year.
