Shops in residentail area chose to take Statutory leave break
According to a restaurant owner, most shops in Central were crowded with tourists on New Year’s Day. According to media reports, the business of most shops in the tourist area has increased by 20% to 30% compared with that of normal days, and they were no exception, as they were very busy on New Year’s Day. Even so, the business of his restaurant in the tourist area has only slightly increased, while the business in the residential area is not very optimistic. Residents are travelling abroad and going north to spend money. Although its restaurant in the residential area is located opposite the bus station, most of the customers since its opening are residents in the neighbourhood, and few tourists come to the restaurant.
The person in charge said that New Year’s Day was a statutory holiday and the law required the payment of additional wages to employees. Instead of operating the restaurant in residential area for nothing on that day, it would be better to take a rest and holiday and concentrate on the business in tourist areas. Are there any publicity and promotion of the branch in the residential area? The person in charge said that they have been promoting them on the Internet, and they have also placed orders by phone for the convenience of customers. However, tourists prefer to go to shops in tourist areas to spend money and eat while they walk.
Residents going north and few tourists
The person-in-charge of another restaurant said that the business in tourist areas was booming and there were long queues outside the door; on the contrary, the branch in the residential area was very quiet and the business on New Year’s Day did not exceed 100 orders. When the restaurant opened, it was noted that there were bus stops, hotels and other famous restaurants in the neighbourhood, and it was thought that there would be a certain degree of cohesion, but unfortunately, this was not the case. However, it is a pity that things have not turned out the way I had hoped. There are tourists in the area, but most of them are residents and students. It is hoped that the Government will organise more activities in the district this year and introduce more restaurants in the district, so as to attract tourists to spend money in the residential area.
A restaurant manager said that there are three branches in Taishan, Hac Sa Wan and Taipa. The Taishan branch is closed on New Year’s Day. Business in the neighbourhood has been declining over the past year, especially in the second half of last year. On New Year’s Day, only half of the customers came to the two shops that were open. Many residents “retaliated” by travelling abroad every consecutive holiday to make up for their travel experiences in the past three years. This, coupled with the fact that most residents’ salaries and benefits have yet to return to normal, has naturally dampened their desire to spend. In addition, with the weakening of the Renminbi and the increasing convenience of going north for spending, it has become common for residents to go north for spending on weekends. “If this continues, closing down will be a matter of time”.
