One-minute free shopping spree to bring smiles

Ten grand-prize winners in ParknShop's lucky draw this month will enjoy a "One-Minute Free Shopping Spree," the supermarket chain has announced.

Applications for the 'Cheer Up! Smile & Win' lucky draw will start today at 1pm and end at 11.59pm this Sunday, with results to be announced on October 23.

A total of HK$32 million worth of cash vouchers will be given away to 320,000 people randomly selected by computer, ParknShop said.

The lucky draw is part of the supermarket chain's plan to help people in line with the second tranche of the Employment Support Scheme. ParknShop has to put 50 percent of its HK$161.96 million subsidies into its rebates.

Through the lucky draw, 316,990 third-prize winners will each receive a HK$100 cash voucher. Three thousand second prize-winners can get an "Exclusive-for-you" product set and a HK$100 cash voucher each. Ten grand-prize winners will join the "One-minute Free Shopping Spree" on top of a HK$100 cash voucher.

No purchases are required to join the lucky draw. Residents may sign up through the website smile.parknshop.com or its event hotline 3699-8822.

People have to provide the month and date of birth and a Hong Kong mobile phone number.

Aside from the lucky draw, ParknShop delivered HK$40.9 million worth of cash food coupons to 27 NGO partners last Tuesday as part of the rebate measures for the ESS.

NGO partners, it said, will distribute the coupons - each valued at HK$200 - to 204,500 beneficiaries.

However, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong said yesterday that they received complaints that some people cannot apply for the supermarket's coupons.

The reason cited for being turned down is that they are not members of the NGOs, DAB lawmaker Vincent Cheng Wing-shun said.

DAB contacted all the NGO partners of ParknShop from September 30 to October 8 and found that many of them only accept supermarket coupon applications from members, existing service users and people who are followed-up by social workers.