Hong Kong crisis hits retail dynamo
Virus outbreak causes ‘unprecedented’ fall in shoppers
April 2 2003
As the World Health Organisation warns travellers to avoid Hong Kong unless their visit is essential, the effect of the pneumonia epidemic which has already claimed more than 70 lives is becoming apparent.
As one of the world’s premiere retail destinations, described by its tourist board as a shoppers paradise, Hong Kong is generally very resilient to any economic or social upheaval.
However, the number of shoppers across Hong Kong has fallen by more than 15 per cent year-on-year since the outbreak of the pneumonia epidemic, according to analysis by Footfall.
Gary Whittemore, general manager of FootFall Asia, said: “The recent dramatic falls in shopper numbers that we have seen across HK over the last week are unprecedented. We normally see very little change this time of year, as there are no holidays or events that could change shopping habits. Therefore we can only assume that this drop in shopper numbers experienced over the last few weeks – compared to the same weeks last year – is as a direct result of the pneumonia epidemic that has gripped HK.
“At the moment the highest fall we have seen is a 25 per cent drop in shopper numbers compared to the same week last year. However as the number of those infected continues to increase we are seeing a corresponding drop in shopper numbers occurring, so we potentially have not yet seen the final impact of this terrible pneumonia outbreak.
“By closing schools and enforcing quarantine measures on some members of the population, people will be unlikely to feel safe going to crowded public places such as shops. It is therefore inevitable that, until this issue is felt to be under control, the effect on retail in general will be quite substantial.”
