China’s EV Shift: From Showrooms to Robotics in Retail Spaces

Several years ago, prime retail spaces in major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai were dominated by electric vehicle (EV) showrooms. However, a shift is underway as these showrooms close, making way for new tenants – particularly those in lifestyle, entertainment, and robotics – that are proving more effective at attracting customers and boosting rental income.

The Changing Retail Landscape

Even as EV sales have experienced a slowdown, mall owners aren’t facing disappointment. Instead, brands like toy giant Pop Mart, sportswear label Lululemon, and robotics companies such as Unitree Robotics are driving a new demand for retail space, according to property consultants. This indicates a broader consumer preference shift towards experiential retail and lifestyle brands.

Landlord Priorities Evolve

James Macdonald, head of research for China at property consultant Savills, notes that landlords are increasingly prioritizing tenant mix. “As the sector has matured, many malls have placed greater emphasis on lifestyle, dining, entertainment and experiential retail formats that tend to drive more consistent consumer traffic,” he stated. Source: BBC News

Sales Performance and Rental Income

Tenant sales performance is a critical factor for landlords, directly impacting rental income growth. Strong tenant performance can lead to positive rental reversions and higher occupancy rates. S&P Global Ratings highlights the importance of mall operators swiftly optimizing their tenant mix to meet evolving consumer needs. Source: BBC News

The Rise of Robotics Retail

The emergence of robotics companies like Unitree, with retail stores featuring humanoid robots, exemplifies this shift. A photograph from January 9, 2026, shows three Unitree G1 humanoid robots at the company’s Beijing retail store. Source: BBC News

China’s Dominance in the EV Market

China has become a global leader in electric vehicles, with almost half of all cars sold in the country last year being electric. Source: BBC News BYD now leads the global EV market, surpassing Tesla earlier in 2025. Source: BBC News The country accounts for more than 70% of global EV production and 67% of global sales as of 2024. Source: Wikipedia In 2024, China sold 12.87 million passenger electric vehicles, with 60% being battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 40% being plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Source: Wikipedia

Key Takeaways

• The retail landscape in major Chinese cities is shifting away from EV showrooms.
• Lifestyle, entertainment, and robotics brands are driving new demand for retail space.
• Landlords are prioritizing tenant mix to maximize consumer traffic and rental income.
• China remains the world’s largest EV market, but retail trends are evolving.