The latest laptops and perfumes are easy to find in Hong Kong but with the wide choice of shops it means you can also buy the most original souvenirs. Looking for a Chinese evening gown or antique folding screen? No problem! It’s easy to fall in love with the beautifully made local goods. But be warned, shopping on this scale has already turned the people of Hong Kong into shopaholics.
There is no VAT in Hong Kong and corporate tax is low compared to other countries. Add to this the infectious shopkeeper’s instinct of the residents and you have an infinite number of specialty shops, markets and shopping centres. The sales period, which takes place at least twice a year, is an especially good time to shop. Most specialty shops and antique dealers are on Hong Kong Island. Let us help you get started.
Causeway Bay features the most diverse shops and is especially known for the Japanese wares sold there. For instance, the Sogo department store is all about Hello Kitty and sushi. The Retrostone shop around the corner is filled with faux vintage items, a bizarre fad that came over from Japan. Timepiece fans should check out the shopping centre WTC More, where Good Old Days ticks with the sound of over 1,000 watches brought from all over the world by store owner Szeto.
Further down on Leighton Road is a branch of Goods of Desire. This shop focuses on all things Hong Kong, albeit with a difference – for example, a handbag with a print of countless ancient balconies. For timeless Chinese dresses and gowns, take the double-decker tram to Pedder Street, where you’ll find both famous haute couture and traditional clothes in Chinese warehouses.