Bargain hunters snap up freebies at Food Expo

Hong Kong’s most significant food festival of the year began on Thursday, alongside four other trade fairs at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The Food Expo witnessed long lines forming well before 10am when it opened its doors. Excited bargain hunters arrived early, some as early as 6.30am, hoping to secure discounted items and freebies.

One secondary school student, who had summer break, wished to obtain the HK$1 ready-to-eat abalone. This was his first time attending such an event, and he found it an enjoyable and informative experience. Another attendee participated in a mini-game for the second year, winning around HK$8,000 worth of free abalone. He had been queuing for the game for a few days, enjoying the challenge it provided compared to other booths.

Vendors offering discounts of approximately 15 percent anticipate sales growth of 5 to 10 percent. Store representatives are optimistic about sales this year, as they launched a line of household items to attract more family visitors. Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasized during the opening ceremony that the five fairs attracted over 1,850 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, with all 11 Asean member states participating for the first time.

The SAR’s role as an ideal platform for brands expanding into different markets was highlighted. Over 230 mega events were expected, with more than 3.6 million visitors, marking a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year. The events would bring approximately HK$12 billion in spending to the city. The five-day food expo continued until Monday, with opening hours from 10am to 10pm for the first four days, and closing early at 6pm on the final day.

Tickets ranged from HK$10 to HK$40 depending on the access tier, while admission was free for children under three and seniors aged 65 or above.