The Shanghai No. 1 Department Store plans to introduce more lifestyle and leisure services to appeal to young consumers after it combines two existing outlets.

The new Shanghai No. 1 Shopping Center, created after combining the current Shanghai No. 1 Department Store and the Nanjing Road E. branch of the Orient Shopping Center, is set to reopen in October after renovation is completed, General Manager Fan Liqun told a media briefing yesterday.

The new shopping center aims to restructure its department stores and revitalize existing shopping space by introducing new brands that are opening their first outlet on Nanjing Road E. or in the city.

Retail brands will be cut from 75 percent to 53 percent, with the freed space allocated to more dining use and leisure activities.

Over one third of the merchants at the new shopping center will be in catering or food and beverage while 12 percent will be engaged in entertainment and leisure services.

Bailian Group, which owns the shopping center, aims to better target consumers’ preferences via Internet and digital tecnhologies after it inked a tieup deal with Alibaba Group earlier this year.