On the morning of May 4, the Shanghai Silver Age Store at 452 Daduhe Road, Putuo District, was bustling with warmth. As the grand opening of the people’s livelihood inclusive section of the 7th Shanghai ‘May 5 Shopping Festival’, the two-day ‘Silver Age Joyful Shopping Festival · Leisurely Life Fair’ theme benefit market officially opened. The outdoor immersive market and the 1,200-square-meter indoor full-scenario experience zone were linked and open. Many elderly citizens came early to stroll through the market, enjoy services, try new products, and receive benefits, all in the final days of the May Day holiday, to attend a quality life appointment exclusively for seniors.

▲ Video: May 5 Shopping Festival Meets Silver Age Store: Putuo’s ‘Elderly-Friendly Market’ Makes Seniors Not Want to Leave

“Your blood pressure is a bit high. Usually, reduce salt and oil, eat more celery and black fungus. Let me give you an ear acupoint massage to help lower blood pressure and calm the mind.”

Outside the Silver Age Store, in the health protection zone, the expert consultation desk of Putuo District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital was surrounded by elderly people. The TCM doctor patiently consulted and performed ear acupoint therapy for the seniors. With gentle finger twists, the seniors’ furrowed brows gradually relaxed. Next to it, at the First Medicine booth, nutritional supplements, daily medications, and home medical devices were all available.

“Auntie, come and try. Our cherry tomatoes and cucumbers are freshly picked from Jinshan.”

At a fruit stall, many elderly people lined up to taste, and everyone praised the freshness of the fruits and vegetables. According to staff, high-quality agricultural products such as free-range hens raised for over 500 days, Chongming saffron, and embryo-retained rice are directly supplied from the origin, with prices lower than retail market prices. Freshly baked Yunnan flower cakes and handmade Fengjing zongzi (rice dumplings) were fragrant, made on site and available for immediate purchase and tasting, whetting many appetites.

The smart assistive device experience area was even more lively. Exoskeleton robots, AI TCM diagnosis, smart glasses, and other ‘black technology’ products were available for free trial, allowing seniors to directly experience the convenience brought by technology.

“Wearing this exoskeleton makes walking much easier and saves a lot of effort.”

76-year-old Uncle Liu tried on the exoskeleton robot with the help of staff, walking slowly and adjusting the force, and was full of praise after the experience. He told reporters that he felt that once he reached 70, muscle loss and weak legs were inevitable, and even a stroll was difficult. This product can assist walking and also has national subsidies. ‘When I’m 80, I’ll definitely get one. It’ll be much more convenient to go out.’

▲ Elderly person experiencing exoskeleton robot

After touring the outdoor market, the seniors entered the 1,200-square-meter indoor full-scenario experience zone of the Silver Age Store. Four themed spaces and dozens of industry benchmark brands gathered, covering the full scenarios of ‘clothing, food, housing, transportation, entertainment, and health’, immersing them in the smart silver age new life.

In the home upgrade zone, group after group of seniors passed through the aging-renovation exhibition area. Services such as bathroom anti-slip, safety handrail installation, and kitchen and bathroom renovation were introduced one by one by staff.

“My old house’s bathroom has no handrails, and the elderly are prone to slipping while bathing. Today I learned about subsidies, so I scheduled an on-site measurement.”

Mr. Chen, who came with his 78-year-old mother, said they had already intended to renovate their old house. Now that they know about the subsidies, they want to put the renovation on the agenda immediately.

In the Smart Home area, real-life displays of smart lift cabinets, lift-assist sofas, aging-friendly kitchens, and accessible bathrooms were full of details.

“This smart stove automatically adjusts height, so you no longer have to bend over while cooking; the bathroom’s handrails, anti-slip tiles, and emergency call buttons all consider the elderly.”

75-year-old Uncle Wu carefully toured with his wife, occasionally reaching out to touch and experience the functions.

In the LOHAS fashion zone, a wide variety of products such as elderly clothing, walking shoes, fashionable wigs, and designer canes were on display.

“These shoes are lightweight, non-slip, and comfortable for long walks. My wife bought two pairs; they feel especially comfortable.”

Over-70-year-old Uncle Zhang accompanied his wife to try on shoes. After putting on the new walking shoes, the auntie walked around the store with a big smile. Staff introduced that these walking shoes are not only popular among the elderly but also bought by many young people. ‘They are lightweight, comfortable, and affordable. Even our staff and interns buy them for themselves.’

In the wheelchair and assistive device area, an elderly couple in their 70s were carefully asking about motor, remote control, charging, and size details of an electric wheelchair, wanting to buy one for their 95-year-old mother.

“The elderly often want to go out but lack strength in their legs, and there’s no elevator at home, so they want a lightweight, easy-to-carry model.”

▲ Aging-friendly bathroom renovation display

“Many children of the elderly say we are ‘the store that listens most to the seniors.'”

Lu Wei, a staff member of the Silver Age Store, introduced that the store has specially set up a message wall for the elderly. Products they want or services they hope to improve can be written down or recorded by staff. The reporter saw that the message wall was filled with wishes: ‘Hope to add cane chairs, folding wheelchairs’, ‘More fashionable elderly clothing’, ‘Hope for more assistive device rental services’… In response to these needs, the store has opened a dedicated elderly clothing area, stocked multiple cane chairs and electric wheelchairs, and actively connected with suppliers to meet the individual needs of seniors.

“Previously, an uncle wanted to buy a transfer lift for his 96-year-old mother, which was hard to find on the market. We left his contact information, connected with professional manufacturers through exhibitor resources, and helped him solve the problem.”

▲ Exoskeleton equipment display

Lu Wei said that the Silver Age Store is not only a sales platform but also a ‘warm-hearted station’ serving the elderly. ‘We hope to truly improve the quality of life for seniors through quality products and attentive services, turning aging into enjoyment.’

At the market scene, free lucky draws and fun interactive activities took turns. The elderly strolled, played, and received benefits, returning fully loaded.

“We came specifically from Yangpu. This kind of silver age store is really good. We hope there will be more stores in the future, and the products will become more affordable.”