‘Happy Hong Kong’: free coffee, discounts and 1-minute shopping spree up for grabs in HK$150 million retail promotion to get people smiling

Retail industry body says it will hold Happy Hong Kong Shopping Festival from July 1 to August 31, with more than 150 brands and 6,000 stores taking part
Starbucks to hand out 100,000 cups of coffee, while ParknShop is offering customers chance to join one-minute shopping spree

Hong Kong economy

Wynna Wong

Published: 6:46pm, 29 Jun 2023

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Hongkongers can enjoy a free cup of coffee, compete for prizes and vie for a one-minute shopping spree as part of a two-month event by the city’s retail sector offering HK$150 million (US$19 million) in discounts, bonuses and other goodies.

More than 150 brands and 6,000 retail stores will take part in the Happy Hong Kong Shopping Festival, organisers on Thursday said. The event is running in tandem with government campaigns to get residents smiling and boost tourism.

The Hong Kong Retail Management Association said the festival, which starts on Saturday and finishes on August 31, will divide promotional activities into four categories that each span two weeks.

They are: department stores and home goods; supermarkets, convenience stores and eateries; electronics and jewellery; as well as cosmetics, health foods and fashion.

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Speaking at the event’s opening ceremony, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said almost 2.9 million visitors arrived during each of the past two months.

He added that the city’s retail sales value was “close to” 90 per cent of pre-Covid levels, while the catering sector had reached 90 per cent of business activity before the pandemic.

“But we continue to face challenges in exports,” Chan said. “We will still need some time to see the effects of our efforts. I hope our retail and tourism sectors can continue to work hard to overcome these recovery challenges.”

As part of the two-month event, retailers and brands will offer discounts, freebies and activities.

Starbucks will give away 100,000 cups of coffee between July 14 and 20 as part of the Happy Hong Kong Shopping Festival. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Coffee retail giant Starbucks will hand out 100,000 cups of coffee between July 14 and 20 during the event, while telecoms firm CSL Mobile will give away 1 million 5G roaming passes covering the Asia-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, supermarket chain ParknShop is offering customers a chance to win a shopping spree and take home any products they can grab from shelves within one minute.

In a bid to encourage spending during the festival, online payment service AlipayHK will separately offer a range of discounts and perks worth a total of HK$1.5 billion.

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AlipayHK is owned by Ant Group, which is affiliated with Alibaba Group, the owner of the South China Morning Post.

The festival will also coincide with the government’s disbursement of the latest round of consumption vouchers on July 16, which Chan last month said would provide the local economy with a HK$13 billion spending boost.

But association chair Annie Tse Yau On-yee said the most recent rounds of vouchers “did not have as noticeable of an impact” as the scheme’s first tranche in 2021.

“The retail industry is hoping this shopping festival, launched in tandem with the coming round of sweeteners, can give things a boost,” she added.

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Tse said the resumption of tourism had been “slower than expected”, noting the number of visitors to the city on May 1 was about half the level recorded in the two years before the pandemic started.

“We will continue to adopt a cautious attitude,” she said.

Chan and Tse also noted consumer behaviour had changed drastically in recent years, with many shoppers looking for “experiences” they could share on social media in addition to buying goods.

The city’s finance chief in April also launched the “Happy Hong Kong” campaign to lift people’s spirits after three years of living under pandemic curbs, with the government organising three gourmet food fairs and working with cinemas to offer discount movie tickets.

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The drive includes the Harbour Chill Carnival during July and August, which will span five weekends and take place along Wan Chai’s harbourfront.

Earlier this year, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign to lure 1.5 million tourists by offering up to 700,000 airline tickets and spending vouchers, as well as hosting promotional events.

Hong Kong on Saturday will also mark the 26th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule. As part of the celebrations, about 1,500 restaurants will offer a 29 per cent discount on food and drinks.

Legislator Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, who represents the catering sector, said the scope and time span of the discount would depend on each outlet. The promotion was an industry-wide decision and had received no government subsidies, he added.

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Lan Kwai Fong Group CEO Jonathan Zeman said various bars and restaurants in Central’s entertainment district would offer 29 per cent off on items such as drinks, Wagyu beef, set meals and champagne brunches.

“It’s time for celebration, and champagne is important, so we are very happy to join and we have seen the market is getting better and better … Hopefully we will bring some happiness to Hong Kong,” he said.

Tai Cheong Bakery is also selling its egg tarts at a reduced price to mark the handover anniversary, while diners at fast food chain Cafe de Coral can enjoy a discount when buying Chinese winter melon soup and those heading to Forum Restaurant Ah Yat Abalone can buy meals there for less.