Hong Kong retail hit by Shenzhen rivalry, weak mainlander spending

Wharf REIC slips to net loss while major chains report double-digit sales declines

20240729  Harbour City is Hong Kong's premier shopping mall

Hong Kong's premier shopping mall Harbour City. "The strength of the Hong Kong dollar," which is pegged to the strong U.S. dollar, has dealt a further blow to the city's retailers, a government spokesman says. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)

KENJI KAWASE, Nikkei Asia chief business news correspondent

HONG KONG -- Retailers in Hong Kong are feeling the pinch as mainland tourists spend less while more locals head to Shenzhen and other parts of southern China to shop and dine, earnings announcements show.

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. (Wharf REIC), which runs two of the city's landmark shopping centers -- Harbour City and Times Square -- said Monday that it expects a net loss of no less than 900 million Hong Kong dollars ($115.4 million) for the first six months of the year. This would be a dramatic swing from a net profit of HK$1.8 billion a year ago.

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