Budweiser Group CEO Proposes New Approaches for Nighttime Economy Development in Shanghai

At the recently held 37th Shanghai Mayor’s International Business Leaders Advisory Conference (IBLAC), the global CEO of Anheuser-Busch, who was invited for the fourth time, provided systematic recommendations around “accelerating the development of the night economy,” offering comprehensive solutions for Shanghai to establish internationally influential night economy benchmarks.

The night economy, as a key engine for unleashing consumption potential and stimulating urban vitality, is receiving high attention from all parties. In recent years, local governments have successively introduced support policies to promote the prosperous development of the night economy. Data shows that over 60% of national consumption occurs after 6 PM, making the night economy an important force driving economic growth and employment promotion. Shanghai continues to lead the nation in night economy development. In the first half of 2025, the city’s total night consumption exceeded 88 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.3%, with the night economy index ranking first nationwide. Its innovative practices have also received recognition from relevant studies by the World Economic Forum and Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, becoming globally representative successful cases.

As a leader in the beer category that naturally aligns with nighttime social scenarios, Anheuser-Busch incorporated successful experiences from multiple international cities in this proposal and conducted in-depth analysis of China’s advantages in public safety, consumption scale, digitalization, and cultural diversity. The company looks forward to exploring diversified development of nighttime consumption scenarios with Shanghai, helping the city further unleash the growth potential of the night economy.

Beyond recommendations, Anheuser-Busch is putting international experience into local practice. Relying on its “super platform” strategy, the company continues to introduce global top-tier sports events like the World Cup and NBA, along with music IPs, to enrich nighttime consumption scenarios. Notably, as an important outcome of the 2023 IBLAC, the Belgian “Tomorrowland” electronic music festival, introduced through Anheuser-Busch’s connections, will make its Asian debut in Shanghai in November 2025 as the first indoor version in Asia, injecting new international elements into Shanghai’s night culture.

“In China, for China” remains Anheuser-Busch’s long-term core strategy. The CEO stated that China is Anheuser-Busch’s largest market in Asia and a crucial strategic market globally. The group has full confidence in China’s future development and maintains long-term investment commitments. He particularly emphasized that Shanghai serves as the core base for its research, development, and commercial innovation in China. In the future, the group will continue investing in Shanghai by introducing more innovative products and international activities, providing consumers with better beer choices and more vibrant brand experiences.