China is becoming one of the most important locations for many brands, with some of the largest flagships to be found here.

This month art is one of the key themes across retail brands, with even high street retailers commissioning artwork for their physical spaces.

Some brands have made artists a large part of their stores, creating galleries and making the craft process behind their products more visible. Others are ensuring that their products are presented alongside iconic art pieces, or creating private spaces with artworks for luxury customers.

We also see the continuing trend of partnering with local businesses, whether for stocking products, collaborations, or additional decorations (such as art and floral displays).

Here are the best new stores we found this month in China.

Zara, Nanjing

Fashion brand Zara has launched a new flagship store in Xinjiekou.

The store includes experiential elements and Chinese design. Visitors to the store are greeted by an art installation by Jujuwang, a Chinese artist, which uses digital screens and music inspired by Three Variations on Plum Blossom.

Customers can also find Zara’s first vending machines for clothing to save time queuing. Currently, the machines are focused on basic ranges, such as t-shirts. For visitors wanting more bespoke items, they can browse exclusive in-store collaborations with Andersson Bell and Zara’s 90s Archive collection. Shoppers can also book a personal styling appointment at the Zara Salon.

Finally, Zara has launched its first Zacaffé, which is inspired by classical Chinese design, and includes bricks from Nanjing buildings in the café’s staircase.

Image credit – Tiffany & Co/LVMH

Tiffany & Co, Chengdu

The Taikoo Li district saw the arrival of a new store from iconic jewellery brand Tiffany & Co.

The exterior of the store includes a sparkling façade to reflect the brand’s diamond jewellery, with touches of the signature Tiffany Blue in the interior design.

Diamond jewellery and the brand’s most coveted collections can be found on the first floor. The design of the space incorporates Chengdu culture, including the magnolia flower, which is represented in a chandelier.

The second floor contains a number of specialist collections such as Color & Light 2024 and China’s only watch salon. For home accessories and a private lounge, customers can visit the third floor. The lounge includes artwork by celebrated British artist Damien Hirst.

Perfumer H, Shanghai

British perfume brand Perfumer H has launched a new store in Julu Road.

The store design retains the original building’s steel beams, which have been painted green, to reflect Shanghai traditional colours. The rest of the store has a feel of quiet luxury, with cream walls and oak display shelves.

Visitors to the store will be able to browse the brand’s range of candles and perfumes, along with some bespoke items from local artists. Customers can also get their candles refilled on this floor and see some of the perfumery process at the fragrance laboratory. There is access to a back garden which includes a range of plants from Wilde, a local florist.

Art is also a big part of the experience in this space, with the second floor home to a gallery space, containing an exhibition called Process, with artwork from Ed Hull, Michael Ruh, Camille Ng, and others. The fourth floor will also be a space for artists who can join a residency programme and create artwork for customers.

Image credit – Loewe/LVMH

Casa Loewe, Shanghai

Luxury brand Loewe has opened its latest flagship, Casa Loewe, in the Jing’an district. This is the brand’s largest store in Asia.

The store has an exterior of gold ceramic handmade Spanish tiles that provide a shimmering effect. The interior features bright orange and green tiles, contrasting against plain white floors and walls, designed to resemble a collector’s home.

The space includes furniture from Axel Vervoordt and Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, and a range of art pieces in ceramic, oak and bamboo, by John Ward, Ernst Gamperl and Hafu Matsumoto. There are also a number of paintings by Mahesh Baliga and Ken Price, with further artwork planned for the future.

Customers can find the full range of Loewe products, including fashion, footwear and accessories.

Image credit – Goodyear

Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, Shanghai

Tyre brand Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels launched its first store in China.

The brand, which is a subsidiary of Goodyear Tires, has already launched a range of products in China. The new store opening is aimed at capitalising on the growing SUV market in China. There is a community of off-road enthusiasts who want to explore a range of different terrains in the country.

The new store offers a way for the brand to connect to the off-road community through a range of services beyond retail. This will include a variety of events, such as workshops with experts and races in the local area. The brand promises additional access to exclusive events at the store.

Pet & Fresh, Shanghai

A new pet food store from the founder of supermarket brand Freshippo opened in Shanghai.

Pet & Fresh aims to use the supply chain methods perfected for Freshippo for the pet food market, which is seeing increasing spend in China. The brand believes that, if operated correctly, its physical retail space could be cheaper to run, and therefore pass some of those savings onto the customer.

The store will offer fresh pet food, created in store, as an alternative to canned and dry pet food. Customers will be able to find a range of pastries, chilled fresh food and a variety of snacks and products from popular pet brands.