Antonio Mcgowan
Shanghai is a bustling hub for fragrance enthusiasts, with a wide range of options available for those looking to buy perfume. From street markets selling ceramic solid perfumes to high-end department stores and unique boutiques, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city. The recent addition of Notes Shanghai, the first professional event dedicated to fragrance in China, has further elevated the city's perfume scene, showcasing emerging local perfumers and their creatively differentiated offerings. Whether you're seeking Chinese or international brands, Shanghai offers an array of choices to suit all tastes and needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Perfume | Solid perfumes in ceramic pots, cologne, scented candles, body oils |
| Shops | eMoier, Harmay x Notes Shanghai, Xintiandi Style, Local shops |
| Locations | Street markets, Pudong, Puxi, Jing’an Kerry Center, Nanjing Road, Anfu Road, Wulumuqi Lu, Donglin Temple in Jinshan District |
| Online Platforms | Pop Scent, China’s e-commerce channels |
| Brands | Documents, To Summer, Melt Season, Reclassified, Zhufu, Param Sara |
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Street markets
Shanghai's street markets offer a fascinating insight into the everyday lives of locals, and are a great place to find unique items at affordable prices. While there is no specific mention of perfume in Shanghai's street markets, you can find a wide range of goods, including cosmetics, fabrics, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
One of the most iconic markets in China is the Yiwu International Trade City, located in Yiwu. This wholesale market attracts buyers from around the world with its competitive prices and vast selection of small commodities, including cosmetics, clothing, accessories, electronics, toys, houseware, and stationery. It is open from 8 am to 5 pm, and closed during the Chinese New Year.
Another notable market in Shanghai is the Fabric Market or the South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market, where you can haggle for unique fabrics, custom-made clothing, and traditional crafts. Huaihai Road is also worth visiting, known for its electronics, while tea enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the various tea shops scattered throughout the city.
For those seeking a more traditional market experience, Shanghai's local markets offer quality fabrics, particularly silk, at affordable prices. Here, you can also find handmade souvenirs, handicrafts, jewellery, jade and wood carvings, traditional clothing, and regional artwork.
Finally, a unique experience is the Shanghai Marriage Market in People's Park, where parents gather on weekends to find suitable partners for their adult children through handwritten "resumes" displayed on umbrellas or posters. It offers a fascinating glimpse into Chinese matchmaking traditions.
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Department stores
When it comes to department stores in Shanghai, there are a few options to explore for purchasing perfumes. Firstly, higher-end department stores in the city are likely to stock a range of perfume brands, including both international and Chinese labels. While specific brand mentions are unavailable, you can expect to find a diverse selection catering to different tastes and preferences.
Xintiandi Style, located in the heart of Shanghai, is a notable department store renowned for its extensive collection of niche perfume brands. This store is highly regarded by fragrance enthusiasts for its unique and less mainstream offerings. If you're seeking something beyond the traditional designer perfumes, Xintiandi Style is worth exploring.
Another recommended department store for perfume shopping in Shanghai is the Shanghai Boutique by eMoier. Nestled within a beautiful garden park, this boutique offers a serene shopping experience. They curate an exclusive selection of the finest fragrances from around the world, ensuring that each customer finds a scent that aligns with their individual preferences. The staff at eMoier are highly knowledgeable and provide personalised consultations to guide you in your fragrance journey.
Additionally, Shanghai's department stores often showcase the works of local artists and craftsmen, promoting cultural exchange and appreciation. This provides shoppers with a holistic experience that extends beyond perfume shopping, allowing them to immerse themselves in the local culture and artistry.
Lastly, while not specifically a department store, the independently run perfume trade show, Notes Shanghai, is worth considering. This event, usually held during Shanghai Fashion Week, showcases a diverse range of fragrances, including local Chinese brands that offer creative differentiation and unique stories through their scents. Notes Shanghai provides an excellent opportunity to discover emerging perfumers and explore the evolving landscape of the Chinese perfume sector.
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The Shanghai Boutique
The boutique is known for its expert staff, who offer personalized consultations and guidance to help customers find scents that suit their individual tastes and needs. The store's location in a landscape garden adds to the overall experience, providing a perfect setting to explore and discover new fragrances.
In addition to its focus on fragrances, The Shanghai Boutique also offers a range of experiences that blend retail, art, and hospitality. The store features a scent library, providing by-appointment olfactive consultations where customers can learn about different olfactory families and explore a variety of scents. The boutique also includes a fragrance laboratory and a candle-refill station, offering insights into the creative and manufacturing processes.
With its combination of a carefully curated fragrance selection, a tranquil garden setting, and a dedication to showcasing local art, The Shanghai Boutique offers a holistic perfume-buying experience that caters to the individual needs and interests of its customers.
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Notes Shanghai
The trade show has seen around 15,000 visitors per season and has showcased a variety of brands, including Reclassified (RE调香室), Zhufu, and Param Sara. Reclassified, founded in 2013 by Mac Lin, was one of the original domestic fragrance brands in China. In 2024, the brand partnered with French master perfumer Dominique Ropion to launch the "Masters of Light" series. Zhufu, founded by designer Bobber Wang in 2022, features seven scents, including a limited edition collaboration with Donglin Temple, a traditional Buddhist temple in Shanghai's Jinshan District. The brand has also been recognised by the German Design Awards. Param Sara, founded by Ankita Gill, a student of the Grasse Institute of Perfumery, is an Indian perfume brand based in Shanghai, with the mission of introducing Chinese culture to the world through fragrance.
In addition to these brands, Notes Shanghai also featured a fragrance pop-up in Xuhui, located at No. 233 Anfu Rd.
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Online
There are several online options for purchasing perfume in Shanghai.
One popular option is to use a perfume delivery service such as Flowers4Shanghai or Shanghai Perfume Delivery, which offer a convenient way to shop for perfumes from the comfort of your home. These websites offer a wide range of perfumes, including elegant floral bouquets, sensual oriental blends, fresh citrus notes, and warm woody accords. They provide free delivery and prompt delivery times, secure packaging, and excellent customer service.
Another option is to purchase perfumes from specific brands' websites. For example, Documents, a Chinese brand with minimalistic and storytelling scents, has an online presence and even opened a special bookstore in Shanghai that combines books and fragrances. Melt Season is another brand with captivating and immersive stores in various Chinese cities, including Shanghai, and their website likely offers a similar experience.
Additionally, some department stores in Shanghai may offer online shopping for perfumes, allowing you to browse and purchase from the comfort of your home before having your selected items delivered.
When purchasing perfumes online in Shanghai, it's worth noting that some Chinese perfumes may not be available for international shipping, adding to their exclusivity and desirability.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many places to buy perfume in Shanghai, including street markets, department stores, and independent boutiques.
Yes, eMoier is a unique fragrance retailer located in the heart of a beautiful garden park in Shanghai. The boutique offers a curated selection of high-quality, unique scents from around the world and also showcases the work of local artists and craftsmen.
Yes, the Chinese perfume sector is becoming increasingly competitive, with emerging local perfumers offering creative differentiation. Some brands to look out for include Reclassified (RE调香室), Zhufu, and Param Sara.
Many Chinese perfume brands have their own stores in Shanghai and are also available in high-end department stores. You can also find them at perfume trade shows like Notes Shanghai, which aims to showcase the Chinese scent aesthetic rooted in local culture, raw materials, and storytelling.
Yes, you can also explore street markets in Shanghai to discover unique perfume offerings, such as ceramic solid perfumes.
