In China, the stall economy is an important economic indicator, especially during times of economic hardship or a downturn in the job market. From the mass layoffs in the 90s to the post-COVID economic challenges, the stall economy has been seen as a means of easing economic pressures. Now, with freelancing and entrepreneurship becoming the new trend, the stall economy is gaining momentum again, providing a new impetus for rapid job creation and entrepreneurship.
The main part of the stall economy is food stalls, but it also includes fruit stalls, vegetable stalls, etc. Despite the convenience they provide to residents, they often occupy sidewalks or even streets, causing noise, smoke and traffic problems that disrupt the lives of nearby residents.
In order to promote the healthy development of the stall economy, it needs to be carried out in a managed manner. This means ensuring food safety, product safety, traffic safety, merchant safety, and consumer safety, as defined and protected by law. China's reform model tends to be policy-first and sometimes outside the legal framework, which is necessary, but it also brings arbitrariness and impropriety, and undermines credibility.
The promotion of the stall economy should be carried out within the framework of the law. Local people's congresses should be responsible for formulating laws on stalls that suit local conditions. Changes to the law should be subject to public consultation and public announcement to standardize management and governance.
The management of the stall economy needs to be planned and far-sighted, and avoid quick success. While strictly enforcing the law, chengguan should also do so within the legal framework to avoid excessive regulation or laissez-faire. The scope, nature and capacity of the stall economy should be clearly defined, with the need for a business licence and health inspections to improve the quality and responsibility of the stalls.
The experience of Europe and the United States has shown that farmer's markets and food trucks can revitalize the local economy while ensuring hygiene and safety, without destroying the city's appearance and hygiene. China's stall economy should learn from these experiences and ensure the orderly development of the stall economy through legal business licenses and standardized management.
The modernization of the stall economy requires motorized itinerant vendors who can operate without disturbing the population. Urban parks and green spaces can be opened at certain times to become vendor markets and create a festive atmosphere. In addition, permanent vendors should be mainly indoors to avoid occupying public spaces for a long time.
* The development of the stall economy should be supported, such as the establishment of a public welfare indoor market, which provides low rents and even provides free of charge to low-income households. Include street vendor trucks in poverty alleviation projects to help needy households operate on the streets. Such measures are more effective than increasing police force and urban management to maintain order, and can help stall owners operate in a civilized manner and jointly maintain social order. In short, the management of the stall economy should be done in a proper and persistent manner, and this will become the starting point of the modernization and reform of the government.