Getting the hots for ice cream

While Chinese consumers may be rejoicing at the growing number of stores selling this popular cool treat, business operators are finding competition tougher than ever

Dessert lovers in Shanghai are likely to have heard of Bonus, one of the most popular gelato stores in the city. But it's unlikely that many of them know how the brand first started out - it operated within a hairy crab shop.

Owned by 38-year-old serial entrepreneur Lu Xiaoxun, who runs that very same hairy crab shop as well as a few other food and beverage businesses, Bonus currently has three outlets in Shanghai and is considered his most successful investment.