Disappointing start to ‘golden week’ for Hong Kong retailers, as protests, Covid-19 take toll
- The absence of mainland visitors and a heavy police presence make for a slow day during a usually busy time of year
- Some shoppers, however, say they are happy to skip the customary crowds
Spenders were left disappointed at a prime shopping district in Hong Kong on Thursday as stores closed their doors due to the heavy presence of police, protesters and journalists, while other normally busy areas were largely quiet at the start of the four-day long weekend.
In Causeway Bay, shoppers’ plans were disrupted after scattered groups of protesters chanted slogans and police moved in to maintain order, with some businesses forced to close early.
In the afternoon, police cordoned off a section of Paterson Street after a small group of protesters shouted slogans following netizens’ calls for people to march from East Point Road to Wan Chai. Big retailers on Paterson Street, such as fashion chain H&M and sports brand Adidas, were forced to close their outlets, while Fashion Walk, a nearby shopping centre, also shut one of its gates.
A 46-year-old lawyer who lives in Causeway Bay and gave his surname as Juam said his shopping plans were disrupted.
Initially, he had planned to buy beauty products with his wife and young son, but when they saw police blocking some roads and protesters chanting slogans, he decided to return home.