The Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub (G-Hub) in Shanghai saw a consumer boom last weekend May 30-31. The average number of customer visits of these two days reached 17,000, four times higher than the average daily flow.

The G-Hub is the one-stop trade and service platform of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which undertakes the spillover effects of the expo.

Yao Tian, manager of the Greenland Diamond Center, said, "Only a fortnight after the launch of the May 5 Shopping Festival, the center's sales exceeded 6.5 million yuan ($914,120)."

The booming sales are based on prices that are cheaper than the original prices for  goods, and the revolutionary change of purchasing mode is the main driving force behind this.

With the upgrading of consumption in the Chinese market, direct purchasing can meet people's demands for better quality and more affordable imported goods, according to Michael Jeffery, deputy chairman of Australian dairy company Norco.

After removing the middleman, fresh milk can reach the terminal store directly after leaving the factory, which greatly shortens the supply chain and reduces costs.

"With the consumption upgrade, people pursue individuality and like new and special products," said the principal of the China Czech Slovakia promotion center.

During the May Day holiday, a new kind of crystal glass set from Czech Republic recorded sales of more than 200 sets a day, causing supplies to fall short of demand. The crystal glass set is expected to be showcased during this year's CIIE.

According to a G-Hub official, more than 1,000 new products in the hub are expected to be exhibits at the CIIE.