While young people tend to prefer such job fairs thanks to the more relaxed environment, employers also see it as an opportunity to arrange interviews more efficiently in their quest to fill vacancies with suitable candidates.

　　The recruitment stall of the jewelry company that Zhang settled on in Nanjing had received more than 10 resumes within just over 30 minutes, exceeding the expectations of Ms. Zhao in its HR department. She said nighttime recruitment was like killing two birds with one stone, as it helped them find staff members for a new chain store, while simultaneously promoting their brand.

　　Traditional night markets have transformed into urban service hubs, which not only meet demands for a more convenient life and higher quality, but also provide new paths for the utilization of social public resources, noted Mao Jinhuang, a professor in the School of Economics at Lanzhou University.

　　Some emerging night markets are accelerating efforts to increase their appeal. For instance, a nighttime job fair in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has invited college graduates and other young people to gather together and simulate the experience of starting a business, while a time-honored commercial block in Lanzhou has set aside a zone where elderly people can walk their dogs, feed fish and enjoy square dancing, resulting in an increase of 45 percent year on year in its visitor flow.

　　"The night economy is shifting from a single consumption scenario to one that integrates increased functions and focuses more on services," Mao said.

　　It is foreseeable that all types of services related to daily life, such as legal aid, psychological counseling and skills training, could feature under neon lights at these venues, he said.