Bargain hunters snap up freebies at Food Expo

Hong Kong's largest annual food festival, the Food Expo, began on Thursday at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Throngs of eager shoppers began lining up well before the doors opened at 10am, hoping to take advantage of discounted prices and free items. A secondary school pupil arrived at 6:30am, eager to secure an HK$1 ready-to-eat abalone, noting it was his first time attending the event early. The experience was described as enjoyable and informative for preparing for future events.

One participant engaged in a mini-game for the second consecutive year, having queued for several days. They secured one of the top prizes, valued at approximately HK$8,000 in free abalone, praising the skill required compared to other booths where freebies were more easily obtained.

The organizer of the game boasted around 15 percent discounts, projecting a sales increase of 5 to 10 percent. A store representative expressed confidence in this year's sales, attributing it to the introduction of everyday household items aimed at attracting a broader audience. These efforts came in spite of last year's disheartening weather.

At the opening ceremony, Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasized that the Food Expo, now in its fifth day, brought together over 1,850 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, including all 11 Asean member states for the first time. He highlighted Hong Kong's potential as an ideal platform for brands looking to expand into various markets.

The expo is projected to have an international impact, with an expected 230 mega events drawing over 3.6 million visitors, representing a 20 percent increase from the previous year. This is expected to generate HK$12 billion in spending for the city.

Tickets for the expo range from HK$10 to HK$40 depending on the access tier, with free admission for children under three and seniors aged 65 or above. The five-day expo continues until Monday, offering extended hours from 10am to 10pm for the first four days, and closing early at 6pm on the final day.