(Yicai Global) Jan. 3 -- Many northern Chinese cities have unwrapped policies to boost the night-time economy as they seek new avenues in retail and other service sectors to meet consumer needs.

The night-time economy was an idea first floated in the UK in the 1970s because city centers were empty after dark. Due to the frigid winter weather, 24-hour services in northern China have always posed a challenge. But that is now changing.

The Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau will unveil policies to boost late-night consumption, a key focus for this year, according to Director Yan Ligang. The Tianjin Municipal Government has already released plans to encourage businesses to open at night.

Beijing's commerce bureau will support opening more 24-hour convenience stores, encourage some shops and supermarkets to extend their working hours and promote late-night canteens to vitalize the night economy, Yan said.

After a hard day at work, people are more in need of relaxation and ways to reduce stress than food. Businesses that run late at night have the chance to boost sales, build closer customer relationships through intimate service and establish brand preference.

"Convenience stores, for example, can not only sell goods, they can also evolve into places offering different social services," Yan suggested. "Night-time service is about not only expanding business hours but also attracting consumers."

With demand for night-time services booming, many firms have started developing new business patterns such as 24-hour medicine delivery and round-the-clock bookstores.

Opened four and a half years ago, Sanlian Taofen 24-Hour Bookstore has become an after-hours cultural landmark in Beijing. The bookstore attracts a lot of readers, many of whom stay overnight, General Manager Hao Dachao told Yicai Global. 

Peak time for readers and sales falls between 9.00 p.m. and 2.00 a.m., making up about 80 percent of all night-time sales, Hao said, adding that sales from 2.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. are the lowest, though a dozen or so readers are still in store at that time. More customers throng the store at night during holidays.