Malls in Crisis Mode: China's Quirky Contests as a Desperate Attempt to Stay Relevant China's malls are turning to creative contests to draw shoppers back into physical stores, where sales have slowed due to the rise of online shopping.
Events such as garlic peeling competitions and slipper flying tournaments aim to create a fun atmosphere that encourages visitors to stay longer and engage in food and social activities.
These events often feature unusual contests, including shelling melon seeds, twisting screws into boards, and planting rice seedlings in mock paddy fields.