Hong Kong border shops struggle as mainland visitor numbers plummet
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Businesses in Hong Kong's Sheung Shui district near the border are struggling, with sales down nearly two-thirds amid low numbers of mainland shoppers and parallel traders compared to pre-pandemic levels.
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The area was previously crowded with mainland visitors and parallel traders buying goods in bulk to resell in mainland China, but customs checks are now much stricter.
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There are concerns that reinstating a multiple-entry visa scheme could lead to a resurgence of parallel trading, but some note that consumer behavior has changed with the rise of online shopping.
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The number of mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong last year was only about three-fifths of the 2019 figure, despite border restrictions lifting.
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Some argue Hong Kong needs to develop its own tourism appeal rather than depending on mainland shoppers, as many shops currently lack diversity.