Annual bazaar in Hong Kong reaches pre-Covid heights, with organisers predicting at least 1 million visitors
- Chief Executive John Lee among first customers at event launch on Friday, spending his cash on goods such as cashew nuts, biscuits and flower bouquets
- More than 400 exhibitors with 860 booths taking part in fair, selling food, home appliances, toys and health products at hefty discounts
One of Hong Kong’s biggest annual bazaars returned on Friday on a scale close to pre-pandemic times, with shoppers lured by HK$1 abalone deals along with other hefty discounts and organisers predicting at least 1 million visitors would attend the 24-day sales extravaganza.
The 56th edition of the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo, organised by the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA), opened in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and will run until January 1.
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu was among the first customers. The chief executive dropped by four booths after the opening ceremony and spent HK$2,755 (US$353) on goods including cashew nuts, dried mushrooms, biscuits, seafood and flower bouquets.
He received a warm welcome from exhibitors. “He is very amiable and we had a lovely chat with him,” said Poon Kuen-fai, managing director of a dried seafood store.
More than 400 exhibitors with 860 booths are taking part in the fair this year, selling food, home appliances, toys and health products at hefty discounts, with hardcore shoppers flocking to Victoria Park on the first day.
HK$1 deals this year include abalone, masks, noodles and washing detergents. Bags of rice will also be sold at HK$2 with quotas limited to 30 each day.
“I feel that a full traffic recovery is yet to be achieved,” said visitor Tony Yu, 61, who attends the expo every year. “I think this year’s expo has reached around 80 per cent of the scale before the pandemic as visitors from mainland China still can’t make it to the scene due to Covid restrictions.”