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Oscar Liu

Harvey Kong

A cross-border battle is under way between retailers looking to attract Hongkongers, as mainland Chinese operators offer free coaches to Shenzhen in the run-up to Lunar New Year, while shopping centres in the financial hub splash out to boost sales.
Stores are not the only ones trying to grab the attention of shoppers amid a weakened economic environment on both sides of the border. Tour agencies are also hunting for dollars, combining leisure travel with shopping.
Some retailers are going to great lengths.
Shanghai-based Freshippo, a grocery chain operated by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, which owns the South China Morning Post, is providing free shuttle buses for Hongkongers to reach its Shenzhen branches for Lunar New Year shopping on January 11, 12, 18 and 19.
One of the services will take shoppers directly from Sheung Shui to its Nanshan store.
The first day of Lunar New Year is January 29.
Wang Hua, Freshippo’s head of operations in Shenzhen, said the initiative was popular with many Hongkongers.
“Last weekend, I met a consumer who did some calculations. The round-trip subway fare from Sheung Shui to Sungang in Shenzhen costs more than 70 yuan [US$9]. By taking our shuttle buses, the saved transport costs allowed him to buy two boxes of Dandong strawberries,” Wang said.
Many Hongkongers also chose to shop for Lunar New Year gifts in Shenzhen instead of locally.
Cindy Kam Chui-ying ditched her annual tradition of purchasing dried seafood, snacks and gifts for the holiday in the city, and instead went for a shopping spree with three friends at a members-only grocery warehouse in Shenzhen, spending about HK$6,000 (US$770).
The 64-year-old retiree was among hundreds of bargain hunters enjoying some weekday shopping at Sam’s Club in Futian.
She finished with two bulging suitcases of Lunar New Year staples, including confectionery, mushrooms, dried scallops, Jinhau dry-cured ham, Chinese preserved sausage and more, which she said were for friends and relatives.
“If I buy these items in Hong Kong for Lunar New Year gifts, it could cost over HK$10,000 and I need to visit multiple places,” Kam said. “Here, I can purchase everything at once in elegantly boxed packaging, which feels more dignified than the transparent bagged mushroom or sausage in Hong Kong.”

At a wholesale market in Luohu district, 35-year-old store owner Zhang Xiaoli said Hongkongers accounted for 60 per cent of her business since mid-December.
“Hong Kong people are savvy with the rules of the game, understanding prices are likely to be lower in this building filled with competition,” Zhang said. “They are adept at bargaining even for small-ticket items. But for us, we aim at a low profit margin with high turnover.”
Several Hong Kong tour operators, including Wing On Travel and Sunflower Travel, offer two-day Lunar New Year shopping packages to Shenzhen, Zhongshan and Dongguan costing from HK$468 to HK$600 per person.
Timothy Chui Ting-pong, director of tour operator Family Travel, said more than 100 Hongkongers filled four coaches on January 11 and 12 and headed for Dongguan.
They spent HK$500 each on average for Lunar New Year goods, while also enjoying sightseeing on the trip.
“This HK$600 tour package combines travel and shopping. Participants will have meals and explore Qingyuan on the first day. We cover transport, meals and accommodation,” he said.
“Participants can enjoy a weekend getaway with sightseeing and shopping for what they need for Lunar New Year.”
Hong Kong malls are also unleashing offers to entice mainland and local shoppers.
Kwun Tong shopping centre APM said for the Lunar New Year period it had raised its spending on promotional efforts to about HK$9 million, a 10 per cent increase over 2024.
From the investment, 40 per cent will be earmarked for various discounts and rewards, with some specifically targeting mainland visitors.


The mall, operated by Sun Hung Kai Properties, predicted its efforts would lead to double-digit growth in footfall from January 17 to February 16 and an increase in business of about 10 per cent compared with the same period last year.
“Local consumers are willing to spend but look for good prices in the market. The mall’s incentive programmes are an effective drive for engaging festive impulse spending,” said Yan Fung Wing-yan, an assistant general manager in the leasing department of Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency.
Also targeting mainland spenders is Tmtplaza in Tuen Mun, which has been their top choice because of the proximity to the Shenzhen Bay control point.
The mall expects an 8 per cent rise in footfall during the Lunar New Year period compared with last year through a combination of promotions, such as giving away smartphones, free cross-border coach tickets and coupon gift bags.
“Tmtplaza not only serves local residents, but it has also become an important shopping destination for mainland visitors with its complete set of cross-border transport arrangements,” said Bella Chhoa, director of asset management at mall operator Sino Group.
“With the resumption of multiple-entry permits and the approaching Lunar New Year, we have specially invested more money into our promotional efforts for tourists and launched a number of exciting privileges for consumers.”
Retail sector lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai acknowledged the growing trend of Hongkongers heading to the mainland to do their Lunar New Year shopping and urged retailers to improve their competitiveness.
“In reality, the prices and associated costs of Hong Kong products have always been high,” Shiu said, but noted local goods enjoyed several advantages, such as food safety.


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Lunar New Year shopping: Hong Kong and Shenzhen battle for dollars and deals

Shoppers check Lunar New Year products at a wholesale market in Shenzhen. Photo: Edmond So

Shoppers at Sam’s Club in Futian, Shenzhen. Photo: Edmond So

100,000 spectators expected at Hong Kong Lunar New Year float parade

K-pop girl group Kep1er will perform during the Lunar New Year celebrations. Photo: Handout

Thai boy band LYKN will be in town for the event. Photo: Handout

Last year’s night parade also attracted big crowds. Photo: Eugene Lee

Pang Yiu-kai (second left) and Ronald Lam.  Photo: Oscar Liu

Hong Kong retailers, hoteliers gloomy over Lunar New Year business prospects

Tourists shop on Christmas Day. Photo: Nora Tam

Mainland tourists visit Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Sam Tsang

Vendors at Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year fair predict drop in business amid retail woes

An economist has said the drop in the value of stall bids reflects the city’s lagging retail and catering markets. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department hosts an auction for spots at the coming Lunar New Year fair. Photo: Dickson Lee

News

Hong Kong

‘Savvy’ Hong Kong shoppers have plenty of options in run-up to holiday as operators roll out free coaches and malls splash out on promotions


‘Savvy’ Hong Kong shoppers have plenty of options in run-up to holiday as operators roll out free coaches and malls splash out on promotions.
