Shenzhen shoppers in Hong Kong buy food and daily items over clothes

Shenzhen tourists are increasingly seeking daily necessities and food when they shop in Hong Kong, according to a survey carried out in the city across the border.

They are also making more frequent visits, the survey indicates. The Shenzhen Franchise Association in November polled 2,999 of the city's residents, of whom 24 per cent said they had visited Hong Kong specifically to shop.

Of these, almost 60 per cent said they bought household necessities, compared with just over 32 per cent in 2011. The number of people buying food more than doubled from 14.6 per cent to just under 40 per cent.

"Compared with 2011, the percentage of clothing and shoes Shenzhen residents bought [last year] did not change much," the association said.

"But the proportion of daily necessities and food has increased significantly. It can be attributed to the appreciation of the yuan."

Just slightly more than 28 per cent of the shoppers - 3 percentage points more than in 2011 - travelled to the city at least once a month.

Daily necessities and food now rank first and fourth among the most sought-after items.