'We have found ... a lot of working women in senior executive positions who are ready to spend,' Synovate media research director Craig Harvey said.

Female high-fliers, with their formidable incomes, also were more likely to spoil themselves with luxury goods.

The study found 21 per cent of female respondents owned at least one watch worth more than HK$4,000, compared with 19 per cent of male respondents.

The researchers did admit, however, to not asking whether the women had bought the watches themselves, saying that would be worth studying in future.

The study targeted people aged between 15 and 64 and is intended to shed light on the consumption, lifestyle and attitudes of Hong Kong consumers.

Not surprisingly, men trailed badly in owning jewellery - 40 per cent of female respondents had at least one piece of jewellery worth more than HK$4,000, compared with 19 per cent of men. Also, 30 per cent of women owned designer clothing or leather goods worth more than HK$1,500 per item.

In ownership of designer accessories or shoes worth more than HK$1,500, men were eight percentage points behind women.

'Hong Kong's fast lane is an advertiser's dream,' said Synovate researcher Susanna Lam. 'More likely to be female than male, fast-lane consumers are well informed, married without children, live on Hong Kong Island and buy designer brands as a matter of course.'

But Ms Lam had a warning for advertisers - fast-lane consumers may be easy to attract but are 'fickle with their loyalty'.

The survey found 33 per cent of respondents believed that well-known foreign brands usually were of better quality than local brands.

Buying into it

Relative ownership of luxury items by men and women

Designer clothes, leather goods (HK$1,500+)

Men 23%

Women 30%

Jewellery (HK$4,000+)

Men 19%

Women 40%

Designer accessories, footwear (HK$1,500+)

Men 20%

Women 28%

Luxury watch (HK$4,000+)

SOURCE: SYNOVATE