Shop Life

Shanghai Zhang Xiaoquan

Shanghai Zhang Xiaoquan was founded in 1956 when dozens of knife and scissors stores were merged. The individual stores were founded sometime between the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and 1949.

The origin of Shanghai Zhang Xiaoquan was in 1851, when a decedent of Hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan Knives and Scissors opened a store in the city.

Anhui craftman Zhang Xiaoquan opened a special store to sell scissors in Hangzhou, and named the store Zhang-xiaoquan in 1663.

Zhangxiaoquan became a symbol of China’s best knives and scissors.

Shanghai Zhang Xiaoquan is looking to tap into the medium- to high-end market, as up to 70 percent of its customers are tourists, and they are buying the products as a gift or souvenir.

The small but busy store is currently looking to duplicate its successful experience to more traditional Chinese tourism spots, such as the Temple of the City God, and the Confucius Temple in Nanjing.