Initially, merchants — relying on their own ideas and creativity — began to gradually set up some outdoor seating, which not only expanded the business area, but many also used them to showcase their own designs, attracting consumers to stop by.

However, with the gradual development of outdoor seating, problems arose. Merchants were unsure about how much outdoor seating to set up and how to arrange them, and similarly, administrators were also unsure about what standards to use for management. After comprehensive research, a set of management regulations were issued.

The regulations are very specific. For example, a flower box should have a certain weight and a height between 70 and 130 centimeters; a canopy can be retractable or a floor-standing umbrella-style one; and the main color scheme generally adopts one color, with the option to paint logos.

"After the establishment of regulations, merchants have guidelines for setting up, and government departments have a basis for management," said Zhu Xuming, an official of the administrative team of Wujiaochang subdistrict, where Daxue Road is located.  "We can encourage Daxue Road to become more vivid and distinctive."

Isabella Swan, a diner at a restaurant called Bohemia, said that she always sits in outdoor seatings. "Outdoor seatings enable me to dine with my pet. There are windshield cover and warm lights. It is not cold at all in winter."

"Outdoor seating breaks the physical boundaries of indoor stores, elevating consumption from 'in-store shopping' to 'scene experience', which meets the current consumer demand for leisure, social interaction, and immersive consumption," Lin Xianping, secretary-general of the institute of culture and creation at Hangzhou City University, said. "It significantly enhances attraction and length of stay, directly driving customer traffic growth."

"From the perspective of business operations, outdoor seating is an effective way for merchants to reduce costs and increase efficiency," Lin said. "It allows for the expansion of business area without incurring high rents, which is a key measure for small and medium-sized merchants to alleviate operational pressure and enhance profitability."