The 58th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo (HKBPE), hosted by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong (CMA), kicked off today (Dec. 14) at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. Running for 24 days until Jan. 6, 2025, the annual event features 420 exhibitors across 11 themed zones, with over 900 booths in total. This year's expo is set to benefit from the recent resumption of Shenzhen's "multiple-entry" endorsement, which exhibitors expect will drive a 30% increase in sales.
The CMA stated that this year's Expo features numerous discounted products, including large household appliances that are difficult to purchase and bring back to HK from the mainland. These offerings are expected to encourage local residents to spend within HK.
With the resumption of the "multiple-entry" endorsement, the CMA believes it will help drive attendance and consumption. The association also plans to strengthen promotional efforts in the mainland. It is estimated that this year's Expo will attract 1.3 million visitors, with 10% of the attendees expected to be tourists visiting from outside HK.
Many exhibitors are optimistic about increased sales this year. Popular items include limited-time "HK$1 abalone gift bags" and festive hampers. Ah Yat Abalone Princess (HK) Limited, a longtime exhibitor, has expanded its HK$1 gift bag offering from 20 to 90 bags to celebrate the CMA's 90th anniversary. The company's Managing Director, Lau Chit-yu, is confident about achieving better sales than last year, with mainland tourists expected to account for 10-20% of their customers this year.
CMA President Lo Kam-wing acknowledged challenges posed by HK's sluggish economy but expressed confidence that the expo's timing, spanning Christmas and New Year holidays, combined with the "multiple-entry" endorsement, will draw significant crowds.
To encourage attendance, the CMA also plans to distribute free tickets to cross-boundary bus passengers and collaborate with travel agencies to organize group shopping tours at the expo.
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