Shanghai’s Time-honored “HSBC Paper Company” Revitalizes, Upholding “Paper Has a Future” in the Digital Age
On June 16, through the phrase “If there is a future for paper, it is because of you” displayed on the glass window, many pedestrians passing by Fuzhou Road in Shanghai paused to look at the re-opened “HSBC Paper Store”.
That day, this 91-year-old brand returned in a new guise, attracting many paper enthusiasts. The store has over 480 types of paper from around the world, allowing customers to select their preferred paper like choosing fabrics.
Fuzhou Road is a well-known cultural street in Shanghai, home to bookstores, ink and paper shops, book markets, teahouses, and theaters. HSBC Paper Store, founded in 1934, was originally named “HSBC New Paper Number” and was first located on Shandong Middle Road before moving to Fuzhou Road. It was once known as the “Paper King” and celebrated throughout the city, attracting paper lovers from afar.
In the digital age, people are increasingly accustomed to paperless work and life, with more electronic screens replacing paper. Will paper eventually be phased out?
About: Fuzhou Road
Fuzhou Road, located in Shanghai, China, is renowned for its significant cultural and historical heritage, particularly as a hub for the publishing industry. Dating back to the Qing Dynasty, this street became a center for literature and education, hosting numerous bookstores, publishing houses, and print shops. Today, Fuzhou Road remains a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a wide range of books, art supplies, and cultural experiences, maintaining its reputation as the “Cultural Street” of Shanghai.
About: HSBC Paper Store
The HSBC Paper Store, also known as the HSBC Archives, is located in Birmingham, UK, and is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preserving the historical documents and records of HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations. The archives contain materials that date back to the founding of HSBC in 1865, including bank records, photographs, and correspondence that document HSBC’s role in the financial development of different regions around the globe. This repository not only serves as a resource for researchers and historians but also highlights the bank’s long-standing history and its impact on international commerce and finance.
