Source:
https://scmp.com/article/352009/hk-second-only-italy-food-shopping-sprees

HK second only to Italy in food-shopping sprees

Hong Kong people go shopping for food 21 times a month, second only to Italians, according to a worldwide survey.

Families with children spend $2,000 a month - with Sundays and afternoons the most popular times for shopping - and some households treat the outings as a family activity.

The research into consumer spending on groceries was conducted by ACNielsen. ACNielsen Homescan director Fanny Chan Ying-fong said: 'Hong Kong apartments aren't big, so storage in the kitchen may be an issue - but traditional eating habits are probably the main reason Hong Kongers make so many visits to the supermarket or wet market.

'The Chinese believe fresh is best and prefer to make several trips a week to buy only enough meat and vegetables necessary for one or two meals at the most.'

Italians are the No 1 shoppers, making 22 trips a month, also because of their love of fresh ingredients, she said.

But Hong Kong families with young children shop almost daily, making 26 trips a month, one of the highest rates for a developed market.

The survey also compared spending patterns of households with and without children.

Two-thirds of SAR households have children or teenagers. Families with youngsters consumed more snacks and junk food.

People without children tended to shop less and spend a little more on Sundays.

'The more time and more convenience a shopper has, the more money they will spend,' Ms Chan said.