There is a lot to be inspired by in a country as large as China, with an array of exciting retail concepts launching throughout the year.

This month, stores are looking to their cultural heritage and aiming to preserve and showcase traditional skills in store designs. Activewear is also a growing market here and companies are competing with each other to provide the best space for the athletic community. We’ve also found a store with a glittering diamond façade.

Take a look at the best new retail happening in China.

Image credit: Starbucks

Starbucks, Suzhou

Starbucks China has rolled out its cultural heritage concept to its new store in Suzhou, part of its goal to preserve Chinese culture and heritage.

The store celebrates Chinese culture and was designed in collaboration with different artists. The theme of the space is Garden of Dreams, which includes an art installation. The installation is a large display of Suzhou embroidery alongside a mural in blue and white using needle brush painting.

The inside of the store resembles a Suzhou garden and the staff wear aprons made from traditional brocade.

Image credit: Hypebeast

Hypebeast/UNiTN, Shanghai

A new cultural hub has launched in China as part of a collaboration between lifestyle company Hypebeast and UNiTN.

The space is designed to inspire creativity and connect the community with fashion, art and design. It will be open to both art enthusiasts and artists.

The store will function as a centre of creativeness and there are plans to include exhibitions, activations and pop-ups for visitors.

Lululemon, Beijing

Activewear brand Lululemon has re-launched its Sanlitun store after a refresh and expansion.

The store now spans three floors and Lululemon brought in artists Liu Bin and Toi Ma Xiaomeng to design an art installation showcasing traditional Chinese crafts.

Visitors to the store will be greeted with the menswear section, with the brand hoping to win over this new demographic. Womenswear can be found on the first floor, with the second floor dedicated to athletic and yoga items. Customers can also get items personalised – a service which is exclusively available to this location.

The opening was celebrated with a group yoga session and the brand is hoping to hold further events to connect with the local community.

Image credit: MVRDV

Tiffany & Co, Shanghai

A sparkling new look has been created for iconic jewellery brand Tiffany & Co’s latest store in the Taikoo Li Qiantan retail centre.

MVRDV, an architecture company from the Netherlands, was responsible for the new creative façade for the store, having already designed other Tiffany stores.

The store looks as if it is covered in diamonds, which have been carefully spaced out to allow unimpeded views from within the store. Each ‘diamond’ was crafted by hand from glass and the whole piece makes use of materials that can be recycled or reused in future. There is also LED lighting to create new colour schemes for different events and campaigns.

Vuori, Shanghai

Following last year’s successful pop-up, athletic brand Vuori has opened a permanent location in China.

The store has a Western design, taking inspiration from America, using natural woods, muted colours and soft lighting. The brand is popular with both men and women in China due to its fashionable designs, which differ from other activewear brands. There is also a digital screen to provide further information about Vuori for customers.