Made in China trinkets gather dust in Stanley Market as visitor numbers fall and tourists in Hong Kong turn their backs on mass-produced souvenirs
- Seaside town in decline as vendors fail to capture shoppers’ imagination
- Retailers blame boom in online shopping, but others see opportunity to switch focus to locally made handicrafts
An attraction on the south side of Hong Kong Island known for its eclectic mix of shops is losing its quaint, breezy charm as vendors struggle with sales despite a record number of visitors last year.
From local souvenirs and shops touting postcards in English and Chinese, to cheap clothes, paintings, and Chinese handicrafts, Stanley Market has long been a tourism hotspot.
But in recent years, shops along its winding streets have had their shutters closed, with some ending up as canvases for graffiti artists. According to property agents, a 900 sq ft space costs HK$65,000 a month to rent.
The problem the area faces is an unwillingness by visitors to buy goods, with most dropping by only for pictures and a drink. Some vendors blame this on online shopping, others on the change in the nationalities of tourists visiting the town, and some recognise that what they sell is no longer what people want.
The marketplace is still frequented by Korean tourists, but most are reluctant to spend big, according to retailers. Even Westerners, who used to form a significant proportion of buyers, have been less enthusiastic in recent years.
Cashmere goods and craft works seller Man Lo, who has been plying his trade there since 1992, wistfully recalls the good old days – at its peak, his outlet Winnie Shop could bring in a revenue of HK$1 million a month.
