Visitors splashed out at this year’s August fairs, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
Estimated per capita spending at three recently concluded lifestyle fairs – Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo and Home Delights Expo – hit HK$1,615 (US$207) this year, up by more than 6% from 2023.
More than 90% of local exhibitors at this year’s shows accepted electronic payment, easing the purchase process in the bustling fair environment. In a visitor survey, almost 85% of respondents said they paid electronically.
Exhibitor numbers were healthy too. The three expos – together with two concurrent events, Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair – attracted some 1,860 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions.
“The five fairs successfully created significant business opportunities for exhibitors and a vibrant shopping destination for the public,” said Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director.
Taiwan’s Grass Lands Food Co. Ltd, which sells snacks, such as pork and beef jerky, reported strong sales after exhibiting at the Food Expo for the first time.
“Many consumers from Mainland China and Hong Kong showed great interest in our jerky products,” said Yu-Hung Wang, Manager of Grass Lands Food. “The sales were exceptional and far exceeded our expectation.”
Korean beauty brand medicube, which returned to the Beauty & Wellness Expo with a bigger booth this year, also reported strong sales. The company’s AGE-R Booster Pro device was a hit with more than 1,000 average daily sales at a special Expo price of HK$1,700 each.
Custom-made sofa specialist Giormani also attracted plenty of attention after exhibiting at Home Delights Expo for the first time. The company is expecting a ~HK$2 million sales turnover, after offering special discounts to increase on-site sales.
At Food Expo PRO, a new label for halal food and drink helped drive sales.
Haichang Ocean Park Holdings Ltd, which is developing a marine theme park resort in Saudi Arabia, placed substantial orders with exhibitors from Thailand and Mainland China. The company secured annual contracts of halal-certified rice and tea worth up to US$500,000.
A Food Science and Technology Zone at Food Expo PRO, meanwhile, showcased new business opportunities for the industry.
Hong Kong start-up Elevatefoods Technology, which has patented a 3D food printing and cooking system, reported strong interest from buyers in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
“Food tech is a fast-growing trend in the industry,” said Connie Lee, the startup’s Co-Founder and CEO. “Food Exp PRO served as a solid platform to launch our innovation and technology.”
The Hong Kong International Tea Fair also saw brisk trade.
Kenya’s Trans-Atlantic Trading Company Limited established strong links with 15 buyers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam after exhibiting at the fair for the first time. The company is expecting US$2 million in new orders from the fair.
Some 20,500 buyers from 60 countries and regions attended Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair.
Online business matching for both events, using the HKTDC Click2Match virtual business matching platform, will remain open until 24 August.
The International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products, which ran from 15-16 September, also concluded successfully.
The conference organised by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association, together with the HKTDC and 10 research institutions, provided a platform for insightful discussions on a range of issues. These included opportunities and challenges in Chinese medicine research, cross-regional exchanges and developing Chinese medicine products in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
