Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Chinese subway stations add flowers, fresh food and other shops
Subway stations in several Chinese cities are adding more kinds of shops and vending machines, beyond the drinks and snacks commuters have long found there.
In Beijing, 97.83% of the subway operator’s 375 stations had convenience services by January, including machines selling flowers, toys and phone chargers.
These businesses aim to meet commuters’ immediate needs, from breakfast and water to a quick gift or flowers on the way home.
Beijing’s Xitucheng station has a flower stall and a machine selling collectible toys, while a station on Line 7 opened a shop selling freshly baked bread and pastries in October.
But stations are crowded, enclosed spaces, so shops must meet strict fire, food-safety and operating requirements and avoid blocking exits or signs.
Operators must balance convenience with passenger safety, and the range of businesses depends on suitable station space and rules that allow them to operate.
Chinese subway stations are adding flowers, fresh food, convenience stores and novelty goods to meet passengers’ needs.
The expansion is visible in Beijing, Chengdu and Jinan, where stations host vending machines and shops across a range of businesses.
Passengers say station shops help them buy food and drinks on the way to work, as well as flowers or gifts on short notice.
Some operators are moving beyond packaged goods, with a Beijing station opening a shop selling freshly baked bread and other items.
The growth brings safety and space concerns, including fire protection, food hygiene, crowd movement and possible odors.
- Who
- Subway operators and businesses are expanding station shops and services for passengers.
- What
- Subway stations are adding stores and vending machines selling food, drinks, flowers, gifts and other goods.
- When
- The article was published on October 29, 2026; it also reports developments from this year and last year.
- Where
- Beijing, Chengdu and Jinan, China.
- Why
- To meet passengers’ immediate shopping needs and make purchases more convenient during commutes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chengdu Metro shops sold more than 500,000 cups of coffee.
Beijing Metro said its 375 stations had a 97.83% coverage rate for convenience services.
Beijing Metro Line 7’s Shuangjing station opened a fresh-bread shop.
China News Service published its report on the expanding range of subway station businesses.
- Beijing stations
- 375 stations; convenience-service coverage was 97.83% in January
- Beijing vending machines
- 2,640 machines across more than 10 types
- Chengdu shops
- 416 outlets across the rail network, covering 18 business types
- Jinan commercial sites
- 159 of 180 planned sites had been established
- Flower locations
- A Little Flower” had sales points in 29 Beijing subway stations
- Fresh bread shop
- Opened at Shuangjing station on Beijing Metro Line 7 in October
What people are saying
偶尔顺路带束花回去，能给普通的一天增添一点仪式感。
上班路上在地铁站买瓶酸奶充饥，或口渴时顺手买瓶水
价格不高，又能让朋友感受到重视。
很多乘客坐地铁赶时间，能有让人少绕路、少花时间的商业是好事，但更重要的还是在‘方便’和‘安全’之间找到平衡。