Employment in the hard-hit retail industry resulting from Asia's economic downturn has been given a boost at the complex with the creation of more than 5,000 jobs covering front-line staff, shop management and, indirectly, suppliers.

The Airport Authority's objective was to create a shopping environment that offered value for money at downtown prices.

Retailers and caterers cannot charge customers prices higher than those asked for in their comparable downtown stores.

According to the Airport Authority, instead of a sporadic array of shops, the mall was conceived as a world-class shopping centre aimed at reflecting the 'East meets West' spirit of Hong Kong and providing something for everyone.

Not having the same space constraints as Kai Tak, the Hong Kong Shopping Mall is divided into five different zones with different, but complementary, concepts.

Local companies operate about 70 per cent of the outlets. The rest are run by overseas companies or joint ventures.

Joining retail veterans such as Duty Free Shoppers (DFS) will be designer boutiques and famous brand outlets, including Gucci, Ferragamo, Bally, Christian Dior, Bulgari and Cartier.

Top locals companies include Mannings, which has a health-care and pharmaceutical concession, and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co.

Other concessions were awarded well-known names not usually associated with airport retailing. The list includes the likes of Harrods, Reebok and the Disney Store.

The world's largest duty-free and tobacco concession will be operated by Sky Connection, a joint venture between the New World and Lai Sun groups.

All retailers will have a chance to market their products at particular consumer groups.