A moment in time: Changing face of shopping

Marketplaces provide upgraded service to consumers, as some of the shabby markets were moved to suburban areas and replaced with clean, neat supermarkets in Beijing. About 30 years ago, vendors rode tricycles waiting in line to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, as shown in the picture, taken in 1986.

However, as China's economy boomed, foreign retail companies such as Sam's Club entered the country to cater to meet the new demand from richer Chinese, as seen in the photo, taken in 2006.