Hongkongers increase mainland retail spending

Hong Kong consumers are shopping more across the border in mainland China, drawn by lower prices and wider adoption of digital payments, reports the South China Morning Post citing data from payment giant UnionPay International.

Offline UnionPay card spending in mainland China by Hong Kong residents rose nearly 30% year on year in the first half of 2026, while online and digital transactions recorded even stronger growth, data released on Thursday showed.

The trend reflected deepening integration of the consumer markets in Hong Kong and mainland China, supported by seamless digital payments, improved connectivity and increasingly cross-border lifestyles across the Greater Bay Area.