The consumer experience

Shopping is perhaps the most universal trait I’ve seen between the US, London, and Asia. Here in Hong Kong opportunities to shop are everywhere. It seems that every MTR (subway) stop is foremost a portal to another mall and secondly a way to get somewhere. Almost every stop I’ve been to in Hong Kong unloads into a multi story mall (often 8-12 floors). With deals, deals, deals galore.

Shopping here is similar to the US. Right now Chinese New Year is the occasion being used to sell goods. Every mall has huge displays, musicians, and tons of festivities all aimed at conveying that festive holiday mood. Compared to Christmas, the only difference is instead of Santa in his red suit there is a golden ox on display. Advertising seems fairly similar. Walking around Central (downtown) you are greeted by multi story displays of celebrities promoting goods (I’ve seen a few George Clooney displays) and most of the major international brands have large show rooms (Ferragamo, Coach, Nike, Diesel, etc…)

Getting off the beaten path you find some differences. There are huge open air markets selling fake goods in HK. It’s not as dirt cheap (as say Vietnam) but there plenty of places to get knock of goods for cheap. Some of the girls in my program have been trying to work up the courage to visit some of the back alley “showrooms” where the best fakes supposedly are, but so far everyone has kept to the markets. Also there are a lot more tailors in HK than the states. I’m guessing the availability of cheap labor helps. In fact currently I’m waiting on my first custom shirt to be made at a place owned by an Indian gentleman who has been in HK for 51 years – if it’s good I have a few other things I need made.

I’m sure there are difference in the marketing themes used, but I probably haven’t examined enough local HK adds to be able to compare; however, either way I’m confident in saying that people in HK are as drawn to shopping as people in the states, if not more so.

Editor’s note: this article was written for a series on the international student’s experience for Duke University.