Hong Kong shop owners willing to sell even if it means incurring a loss of HK$6 million

A 435 square feet shop in Shau Kei Wan sells for HK$7.3 million (US$932,600) compared to HK$13.3 million paid in 2012

Ricacorp Properties expects shop transactions to fall to the lowest level since the agency starting collecting data in 1995

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A shop in Wan Chai is set on fire by anti-government protesters. Market observers say buying sentiment for retail shops has further weakened because of vandalism and arson. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 10:00am, 17 Nov 2019Updated: 10:55pm, 17 Nov 2019

As the social unrest in Hong Kong shows no signs of abating, retail property owners are either selling high street shops at losses of nearly 50 per cent or offering massive discounts on rents, with market observers expecting the number of sales transactions to sink to an all-time low.

“Shop prices and rents will definitely fall further. Potential buyers are asking for up to 40 per cent discount even after sellers have already cut their original asking prices significantly,” said Kenneth Yau, senior sales director at Midland Shops, a unit of Midland Realty, adding that prices of shops in less prime locations would suffer the most.

Last week, a 435 square feet ground-level shop at 30 Factory Street, Shau Kei Wan changed hands for HK$7.3 million (US$932,600) compared to HK$13.3 million paid in 2012 – a loss of HK$6 million or 45 per cent.

“Most owners are willing to cut prices but still cannot lure buyers,” said Yau. “Closing deals now is difficult as there is a huge gap in buyers’ offer prices and sellers’ asking prices.”

A retail shop is advertised for lease in Mong Kok. Photo: Sam Tsang

According to data from the Rating and Valuation Department, shop values in Hong Kong Island have lost 45 per cent to HK$33,964 per sq ft in September compared to August, and by a much sharper 50 per cent in the New Territories to HK$31,331 per sq ft. However, shop prices in Kowloon jumped 36 per cent to HK$45,322 per sq ft in the same period.

Dennis Cheng, senior sales director at Ricacorp Properties, expects the number of deals in November to probably fall to the lowest level since the firm started collecting transaction data in 1995.