Main Topic: King of Consumption

Hosts:  James Stanworth , Clyde Warden

James and Clyde are in Hong Kong to attend some meetings, give a talk, make some observations, and collect some data. While this is the most accessable city in Greater China, our TAM team is out looking for the local influence that points toward the values of local consumers in a hybrid market.

Hong Kong developed its retail sector well before Taiwan and China . Visitors can easily assume there is little difference between Western retailing and HK retailing. A closer look shows Western and Eastern formats tend to be separated, with locals often consuming in more traditional formats. Some unique hybrid formats have developed that TAM finds very interesting, such as placing wet market stalls in supermarkets. These innovations are mostly taken advantage of by local Chinese. So the point is, do not assume what modernity is. Rather than just a Western perfect form, Chinese retailing is developing while retaining important aspects of local culture.

It's not that easy to get around using only English. Mandarin Chinese is the second language.

Photos:

• 1) HK mixes West and East most obviously in its signage (something Taiwan has not been able to do well). 1) HK mixes West and East most obviously in its signage (something Taiwan has not been able to do well).
• 2) Not only Chinese & English, but body language too (here the Chinese body language for Sorry!). 2) Not only Chinese & English, but body language too (here the Chinese body language for Sorry!).
• 3) Fortune tellers are popular with locals. 3) Fortune tellers are popular with locals.
• 4) On one street, Chinese fortune tellers. 4) On one street, Chinese fortune tellers.
• 5) On the next street, English capable fortune tellers. 5) On the next street, English capable fortune tellers.
• 6) Hotels have special hourly rates (just as in Taiwan). 6) Hotels have special hourly rates (just as in Taiwan).
• 7) Signs with no language are universal. 7) Signs with no language are universal.
• 
• 9) Modernity is towering everywhere. 9) Modernity is towering everywhere.
• 10) The traditional is not far away. 10) The traditional is not far away.
• 11) Bai Bai activities are common (spirit money burning can). 11) Bai Bai activities are common (spirit money burning can).
• 12) Temples in homes and businesses. 12) Temples in homes and businesses.
• 13) Small temples outside doors. 13) Small temples outside doors.
• 14) Mirrors in businesses (to ward off ghosts). 14) Mirrors in businesses (to ward off ghosts).
• 15) HK runs late into the night. 15) HK runs late into the night.
• 16) Retailing formats common in Taiwan can be seen (here the inside out format). 16) Retailing formats common in Taiwan can be seen (here the inside out format).
• 17) Street stalls are mobile. 17) Street stalls are mobile.
• 18) Setting up stalls before sundown. 18) Setting up stalls before sundown.
• 19) Compact retailers are still commonly found. 19) Compact retailers are still commonly found.
• 20) Wet markets emphasizing freshness are also not hard to find. 20) Wet markets emphasizing freshness are also not hard to find.
• 21) Similar to China, buildings with wet markets on multiple floors. 21) Similar to China, buildings with wet markets on multiple floors.
• 22) First floor fruit and veggies, second floor meat. 22) First floor fruit and veggies, second floor meat.
• 23) Western retail formats are everywhere. 23) Western retail formats are everywhere.
• 24) Western formats with localized icons and flavors. 24) Western formats with localized icons and flavors.
• 25) Many retailers are found in HK, Taiwan, and China, such as Easy Shop. 25) Many retailers are found in HK, Taiwan, and China, such as Easy Shop.
• 26) Malls are packed with Western retailers, with their inside very in format. 26) Malls are packed with Western retailers, with their inside very in format.
• 27) Some retailers, here Wellcome, bring the wet market into the corner market. 27) Some retailers, here Wellcome, bring the wet market into the corner market.
• 28) Traditional Chinese is more common in these more localized locations. 28) Traditional Chinese is more common in these more localized locations.
• 29) Lowest price guarantee is a replacement for bargaining behaviors in Chinese cultural settings. 29) Lowest price guarantee is a replacement for bargaining behaviors in Chinese cultural settings.
• 30) Direct connections to the UK are slowly fading away. 30) Direct connections to the UK are slowly fading away.
•  

ConsumerCam:

Show Links:

• PARKnSHOP HOME PAGE
  
• PRC visa office in Hong Kong
  

Bottom Line:

• Hong Kong is very international.
  
• The second language is Mandarin Chinese or English?
  
• There is still a lot of the local retailing around.
  
• Westernized retail servicescapes are all around.
  
• In some locations, the small shops still dominate.
• Religion, as in Taiwan, still dominates business activities.
• Hong Kong influences Taiwan in areas such as numerology.
• Everyone is trying to get rich, and conspicious consumption is very much in!
• Very small areas contain very different retailing formats.
  

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