Hongkongers increase cross-border shopping splurges, spending data shows

Hongkongers increase cross-border shopping splurges, spending data shows Price differentials, changing consumer habits make mainland China a ‘major hotspot’ for Hongkongers’ spending, UnionPay International says Even as local retail spending remains resilient, Hong Kong consumers are shopping more across the border in mainland China, drawn by lower prices and wider adoption of digital payments, according to data from payment giant UnionPay International. Offline UnionPay card spending in mainland China by Hong Kong residents rose nearly 30 per cent year on year in the first half of 2026, while online and digital transactions recorded even stronger growth, data released on Thursday showed. “Mainland China remains a major hotspot, driven by price differentials and changing consumer habits,” said Roger Lee, vice-president for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan at UnionPay International. To further tap cross-border demand, UnionPay announced an arrangement allowing Hong Kong residents to enjoy China’s national consumer goods trade-in subsidy programme. Hong Kong shoppers travelling to the mainland could now receive government subsidies of up to 20,000 yuan (US$2,954) without needing to open a mainland bank account or obtain a mainland mobile phone number, the company said.