Vendors gripe about weak purchasing power

Some vendors at the Hong Kong Brands and Products Shopping Festival have said sales fell by half from last year because of a weak economy and people having already used up their HK$2,000 vouchers.

More than 60,000 people visited the four-day festival that ended at 5.30pm yesterday at AsiaWorld-Expo and recorded total sales revenue of about HK$60 million, similar to last year.

The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, the organizer, said sales figures "met our expectation."

This year's edition was a day longer than last year and eating and drinking were not allowed.

Yesterday saw a larger number of attendees and about 1,000 people queueing outside to wait to enter.

Association president Allen Shi Lop-tak was satisfied with the overall performance of the expo. He said although there has been a rebound in infections lately the "consumption atmosphere remains warm."

But some exhibitors disagreed. Many of them offered more price promotions to boost sales yesterday while some gave away cooking ingredients to buyers.

A frozen-meat vendor said sales volume and revenue were at most half of last year while others said it was about 20 to 30 percent less.

"The sales revenue is not even half of that of last year, though there are lots of people this year. I think it's because people have already used up their consumption vouchers," vendor Ho said.

Some customers were intent on buying goods at a cheaper price.

"I plan to spend a few hundred to a thousand dollars to get stocks," customer Tang said before entering.

"I don't expect to buy much as there is no food tasting this year," another customer, Lau, said.

More than 250 exhibitors set up more than 350 booths, which are 100 more than last year. Products sold were related to areas such as leisure food, health, household and fashion and beauty. A digital technology zone was added this year.

Meanwhile, the 12 malls of Sun Hung Kai Properties saw a 12 and 10 percent increase in revenue and customer flow, respectively.

"The catering industry has benefited the most," said the general manager of SHKP's leasing department, Fiona Chung Sau-lin.

cynthia.chan@singtaonewscorp.com