The best fashion and gift stores Hong-Kong 香港

Timetable

Shoppingmalls are open from 10am to 10pm, 7 days a week, including public holidays. Independent stores generally open a little later, around 11am or noon, and close around 9pm. Some street markets, such as Ladies Market in Mong Kok or Temple Street Night Market, open in the afternoon and stay open until 11pm or midnight.

Closing time. Stores don't usually have a weekly closing day. With the exception of a few small family-run boutiques or stores in more local areas, which may be closed on Sundays. At Chinese New Year, it's more common to see independent stores closed for a few days in a row.

Peak shopping times. Peak shopping times are usually between 12 and 2pm (during lunch breaks) and after 6pm, when people leave work. At weekends, shopping centers and popular shopping areas are very busy.

Budget & Tips

International and luxury brands. Prices for international brands are comparable to those in other major international cities. Luxury goods, in particular, are often slightly cheaper than in Europe or the USA due to the absence of VAT in Hong Kong, but the difference is not huge.

Local stores and markets. Street markets offer rather attractive prices, but the quality is not always up to scratch. In local stores, for souvenirs, it all depends on the location and the range of the store, but it's not particularly cheap.

Taxes. No VAT in Hong Kong! One of the greatest advantages of shopping in Hong Kong is the absence of sales tax. This means that the prices displayed are the final prices.

Payment methods. Bank cards work everywhere, except in street markets, where cash is the most common form of payment.

Smart tip. If shopping is what takes you to Hong Kong, check outoutlet stores such as Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau, a whole building of discount brand stores (old collections).

Sales

All year round, there's an excuse for promotions, and Hong Kongers love to shop!

Summer sales generally run from June to August.

Winter sales begin in late November, with Black Friday, and run through to the Christmas period and beyond, until February. Many stores offer big discounts on Boxing Day (December 26), a key day for post-Christmas shopping.

Special offers: outside the two main sales periods, Chinese New Year, Halloween, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Mid-Autumn Festival... any occasion is a good opportunity to run promotions and attract shoppers.

What's very local

Places. Here,malls are a dime a dozen! Everywhere you look, huge complexes of stores, restaurants, cinemas and other entertainment attractions. They're an integral part of Hong Kongers' daily lives, and particularly popular on hot, rainy summer days. Among the most popular are IFC (Central), Pacific Place (Admiralty), Times Square (Causeway Bay) and the superb K11 (TST).

The markets around Mong Kok (birds, flowers, animals, ladies market, sneakers street, jade market and temple street market) are popular and lively. Ideal for immersing yourself in the local atmosphere while indulging in a little shopping.

In Central, street markets such as Cat Street Market, or in the rising streets between Queen's Road and Soho, are also brimming with trinkets and souvenirs of all kinds. We recommend Central Market and PMQ for more upmarket handcrafted souvenirs.

What to bring back? Tea of course, herbal decoctions from Sai Ying Pun, Chinese tableware, a mahjong game, clothes from local brands, paintings or illustrations by local artists, cosmetics from Asian brands (Sasa chain of stores), local dry pastries, a personalized seal..

Merchandising. It's not a common practice, but in Kowloon's street markets, it's possible to negotiate prices a little, while remaining courteous and reasonable.

Tourist traps

Hong Kongers are not in the habit of trying to rip off tourists. Scams are therefore quite rare, but it can happen that the price is a little inflated in tourist areas such as the street markets of Kowloon, which is why it's a good idea to haggle a little. And conversely, it's in these markets and in small local stores that you'll find the best bargains.

Here are a few useful tips:

Street markets. Don't expect incredible quality, and if you see a luxury brand bag for HK$200, be sure it's a counterfeit.

Electronics. Don't buy phones, computers or cameras in the stores on Nathan Road or Mong Kok. They are often of poor quality.

Chinese medicine products. Some Chinese herbal or health stores sell items that may be prohibited at customs in other countries. Find out more.

Jewelry. Jade Market, for example, does not sell genuine jade stones.