The consumer heaven

As rumored, Hong Kong is the consumer heaven, no question about it. Let me elaborate:

1. It’s cheap
2. There are stores everywhere you look
3. The stores are almost always open, many at night

For example, consider the following price examples (note that some of these prices only apply to me as a student in HKUST):

• An IBM T43 Notebook for ~10 000 HKD (10 000 SEK or 1 000 €)
• A BigMac Meal for ~ 20 HKD (20 SEK or 2 €)
• A McDonald’s ice cream for 2 HKD (~ 2 SEK or 0.2 €)
• Call from Hong Kong mobile to (most) other countries for 0.25 HKD/min (0.25 SEK or 0.025 €)
• A bus ride for ~ 5 HKD (5 SEK or 0.5 €)
• A decent shirt for ~50 HKD (50 SEK or 5 €)
• A computer cable for ~10 HKD (10 SEK or 1 €)
• A can of beer for ~ 3 HKD (3 SEK or 0.3 €)
• A (pirated) DVD movie for ~ 8 HKD (8 SEK or 0.8 €)

Even though all these cheap prices, other stuff are still expensive (or the same price as in Sweden). For example, taking a beer or eating out is priced as in Sweden. Many mobile phones sell for the same price as in Sweden, although without the need to get a long subscription. Many ordinary foodstuff bought in an ordinary supermarket is priced in the same way as a cheap Swedish supermarket (although milk is more expensive!). But all in all it’s much more cheaper to live here than in Sweden, and I eat two or three meals out per day. Even though electronics of well-known brands aren’t that much cheaper the range of products is much greater.

I have yet only tasted the shopping experience in Hong Kong and I have still a lot to explore, like bargaining, going to night markets or visiting the largest shopping centras. What I miss is online shopping, but maybe I haven’t found the right web site yet.

If you want anything ordered from Hong Kong, don’t hesitate to contact me