Hong Kong restaurants score extra HK$500 million thanks to World Cup
Crowds of football fans, including children and elderly, flocked to shopping centres for match between Spain and Argentina at 3am
Businesses were also urged on Monday to devise creative strategies and set competitive prices to maintain the momentum from the city’s World Cup fever.
The final between Spain and Argentina drew crowds of football fans, including children and the elderly, who flocked to shopping centres at 3am – packing every floor of Tuen Mun Town Plaza, Olympian City, MCP in Tseung Kwan O and Kai Tak Mall.
Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, estimated that the catering industry had pocketed an additional HK$500 million between June 30 and Monday, representing an uptick of about 6 per cent from its initial estimate in July.
In Tuen Mun Town Plaza, cheers erupted as Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal appeared on a 540-inch screen, building to a crescendo when Spain clinched victory 1-0 after extra time.
Stalls and restaurants sought to capitalise on the crowds, setting up booths nearby to offer bubble tea or delivering dim sum directly to the viewing area.