This article highlights western China as a " fast - emerging powerhouse " in the global retail market , thanks to growing spending power of its middle class , support of the local administration , and central government 's drive to develop the area . Sichuan province 's largest city , Chengdu , for example , with 15 million inhabitants and home to many Fortune 500 companies , is often referred to as the " third largest city " in China . Christina Hau , general manager of Wharf holdings , the group behind the region 's well - recognised IFS mall , said western Chinese cities are attractive as the luxury goods market is less saturated than in first - tier cities but spending power is still strong : " We believe these places will keep growing , and there is always more room for growth " .
This article highlights Western China as a "fast-emerging powerhouse" in the global retail market, thanks to growing spending power of its middle class, support of the local administration, and central government's drive to develop the area. Sichuan province's capital city, Chengdu, for example, with 15 million residents and home to 268 Fortune 500 companies, is often referred to as the "third luxury city" in China. Christina Hau, general manager of Wharf holdings, the group behind the region's well-recognised IFS mall, said western Chinese cities are attractive as the luxury goods market is less saturated than in first-tier cities but spending power is still strong: "We believe these places will keep growing, and there is always more room for luxury".