On the afternoon of April 9, the "Shared Path through Books" Salon unfolded at University Sport Book Store as part of the Yangpu Youth Economy "Tide Exploration Camp". This gathering focused on the vibrant culture of Generation Z, delving into the boundless potential of the "Bookstore + X" concept. By sparking conversations from various angles, it aimed to infuse physical bookstores with youthful energy, transforming them into new urban cultural landmarks.

Exploration and Immersion: Feeling the Pulse of Youth Culture in Bookstore

The journey kicked off with an immersive "cultural stroll" through University Sport Book Store. This innovative space seamlessly blends the depth of knowledge with modern, trendy design. Through its artistic displays, immersive reading experiences, and vibrant youth community events, it vividly demonstrates its role as a spiritual sanctuary for Generation Z. It serves not only as a vessel for cultural heritage but also as a dynamic incubator for youthful creativity.

Breakthrough and Empowerment: Unlocking the Potential of the Youth Economy in Yangpu

During the gathering, representatives from the CYL Yangpu District Committee shared insights into Yangpu's initiatives to boost the youth economy. Over the past few years, the committee has been keenly attuned to what young consumers want and what budding entrepreneurs need. With a focus on trendy areas like China chic, cultural and creative industries, and street markets, they have leveraged policies, pooled resources, sparked cultural creativity, and delivered targeted services. They have also created a "15-minute youth service circle" and are well on their way to making the district a hotspot where young innovators and business starters flock.

Collision and Symbiosis: How Book Managers Break the Mold

In the themed discussion, the managers of three trendy bookstores - Mystery Books, Xueyue Fengyong Book Club, and University Sport Book Store had a lively chat about "what the youth economy looks like through the eyes of bookstores and what is the role of bookstores in it." They all agreed that the secret to a bookstore's success today is turning from a "knowledge vault" into a "lifestyle guru" for young people. By creating cool scenarios, mixing up different kinds of content, and making emotional connections, bookstores can really click with Gen Z on a deeper level, boosting the youth economy by drawing more attention and linking up different industries.

Creativity • Iteration: Brainstorming Defines Infinite Possibilities of "X"

In a one-hour free chat, the managers of these cool bookstores just let their imaginations run wild with "bookstore + X". People came up with all sorts of things for "X": art shows featuring China chic and national comics, labs for low-carbon creativity, archives of city memories...Every idea showed how bookstores could be this "super connector" tapping into what young people are feeling in this fast-paced world, firing up urban cultural spots in a big way, and giving the local economy a boost.

The youth economy is not about jumping on the latest trend for a quick win. It is about building an innovative ecosystem that takes time to grow. Moving forward, the CYL Yangpu District Committee will keep sparking the magic between policy support, cultural roots, and young people's creativity. We will turn bookstores into key hubs of the youth economy and make our district the perfect place where young people and the city can chase each other's dreams.