Store adds traditional Chinese characters to tags and brochures after complaints
Luxury goods outlet operator responds to customer complaints over use of simplified Chinese geared to mainlanders at its new store in Causeway Bay
Global luxury goods chain DFS Galleria has decided to add traditional Chinese characters to its price tags and brochures - following the latest controversy over shops' use of simplified Chinese.
DFS, which launched an outlet called T Galleria at the newly opened Hysan Place in Causeway Bay, mainly used simplified Chinese and English in their advertisements, tags and brochures at its make-up and designer watch counters.
Some Hong Kong customers who visited the store at the weekend were unhappy with the language policy, saying it was more convenient for mainland shoppers.
Denise Chi Hiu-tung, 25, who was hoping to buy Clinique products, said she was offended when she saw the simplified Chinese characters at T Galleria. She left the shop and promised not to return.
"Why do the interests of mainland tourists rob the dignity and culture of Hong Kong people?" she said.
In response to an e-mail enquiry from the South China Morning Post, Benjamin Vuchot, managing director of North Asia for DFS Group, said it used multiple languages at stores based on the customer profiles at each location.
After assessing the demographic of shoppers on the opening weekend, he said, DFS decided to implement "a number of changes" at the Hysan shop, including the use of traditional Chinese characters. It plans to extend the policy to its shop at Chek Lap Kok airport in December.