Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo nears with HK$80 ‘lucky bags’ and other goodies set to lure bargain hunters
- Organiser predicts sales revenue will increase by more than 10 per cent from last year
- More than 880 stalls will vie for business at the 24-day fair, which starts on December 15
Bargain hunters are set to descend on Hong Kong’s Victoria Park next Saturday with HK$80 (US$10) “lucky bags” and discounted goods in their sights as the annual Brands and Products Expo returns for its 80th anniversary.
The organiser, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, unveiled the event details on Tuesday and predicted sales revenue would increase by more than 10 per cent from last year.
More than 880 outdoor stalls will vie for business from December 15 as the 24-day extravaganza begins in the Causeway Bay park.
Some lucky visitors will scoop up an air conditioner, a water dispenser or a dried seafood gift bag for HK$80 on a first come, first served basis. The retail value of the goods ranges from HK$2,680 to HK$5,480.
Eight lucky bags – containing cordyceps, or caterpillar fungus, one of the most sought-after and expensive ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, a water filter, two cans of abalone and organic facial cream – will also be available.
75-year-old queues two days for Food Expo, wins HK$7,000 of abalone
Those who miss out will be able to console themselves with other special offers including drip coffee for HK$1 as well as Chinese sausages and Thai rice with a 90 per cent discount.
Dennis Ng Wang-pun, president of the association, believed the effects of the US-China trade war would not affect consumers’ spending power.
“This year, the local economy is pretty good. We have confidence and anticipate that the consumption power of citizens will be better this year. We expect growth of 10 per cent at least in sales revenue,” he said.
There are 10 thematic areas at the expo including Hong Kong Brands Square, the food and beverages zone and the living and household zone.
Shoppers camp overnight for Hong Kong expo’s HK$1 dishwasher
This year, online options are available for those who want to avoid long queues.
The organiser will launch a presale promotion with online shopping platform HKTVmall, owned by entrepreneur Ricky Wong Wai-kay, from December 8 to January 6, offering shoppers a chance to get admission tickets for HK$1 and discounted products such as soy sauce and earphones.
For convenience, entry by Octopus card will be available for the first time.
Admission costs HK$12 while children under one metre in height, senior citizens and disabled visitors will get free entry. The opening hours are between 11am and 10pm daily except the final day, January 7, when the expo shuts at 8pm.
Ten contestants will compete for the crown in the Miss Exhibition Pageant, a long-standing tradition.
The expo was originally established in 1938.
