Retail / news brief
Hong Kong shoppers boost cross-border spending in mainland China, UnionPay data shows
Hong Kong consumers are increasingly shopping in mainland China, with UnionPay data showing a nearly 30% rise in offline spending during the first half of 2026, driven by price differentials and wider digital payment adoption.
Offline UnionPay card spending by Hong Kong residents in mainland China climbed nearly 30% year on year in the first half of 2026, while online and digital transaction volumes recorded even stronger growth, the payment giant reported.
Roger Lee, vice-president for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan at UnionPay International, described mainland China as a major shopping hotspot for Hongkongers, citing price gaps and evolving consumer habits as key factors.
To further encourage cross-border spending, UnionPay has arranged for Hong Kong shoppers to participate in China's national consumer goods trade-in subsidy program. Travelers can 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.
Despite the shift toward cross-border shopping, local retail spending in Hong Kong has remained resilient, suggesting a dual pattern of domestic and overseas consumption among residents.