Hong Kong Television Network (HKTV), the flagship company of outspoken entrepreneur Ricky Wong Wai-kay, launched on Monday its online-shopping operation that initially targets the local internet broadcaster’s 1.23 million registered subscribers. The new HKTV Mall faces stiff competition in a small, crowded market where the likes of TMall and Taobao Marketplace, the massive online retail platforms of Alibaba Group Holdings, as well as United States-based eBay go up against various other local and foreign internet-shopping sites. In a filing with the Hong Kong stock exchange on Monday, HKTV said it is conducting a promotional campaign from today until February 15 that will see its 1.23 million registered subscribers each receive HK$100 worth of so-called Mall dollars, which can be used as cash for shopping its online platform on or before March 31. New subscribers will receive the same offer during the promotional period. “It is the company’s objective to enhance the brand recognition of the HKTV Mall and stimulate increases in purchases by the registered users through the promotional campaign,” Wong, the chairman at HKTV, said in the filing. Product categories at HKTV Mall include fashion, beauty and health, electronics, lifestyle, food and beverage, sports, household, and “mom and baby”.