The residents of Hong Kong have been identified as the world’s biggest shopaholics according to the results of a global survey conducted by ACNielsenon-line into consumer's attitudes towards shopping. 

 

A recent ACNielsen global on-line survey conducted among 22,000 internet users in 42 markets revealed that 74 percent of the world's consumers admitted that shopping was a form of entertainment while a whopping 93 percent of Hong Kong consumers agreed with that. . 

 

According to the survey, seven of the top 10 markets with most people claiming to shop once a week simply to amuse themselves are in Asia. People in Hong Kong (34 percent), the United Arab Emirates (30 percent) and Thailand (27 percent) top the world for shopping once a week simply for fun.    

 

Hong Kong citizens rank first again for shopping as often as twice a week just for something to do followed by Thailand (9 percent) and Singapore the third (7 percent).

 

No surprise then that these locations have positioned themselves internationally as major shopping attractions. .

 

Hong Kong has long promoted itself as a shopping paradise. The opening of bigger and better shopping malls which also offer dining and entertainment under one roof are everywhere with all things in close proximity to the city, said Bienvenido Niles, regional president of ACNielsen, Asia Pacific. 

 

Meanwhile, neighboring countries are also fast catching up with new or even what some are claiming are bigger or taller malls and these ventures appear to be keeping the shopaholics happy.  

 

The ACNielsen On-line Consumer Confidence Survey, the largest twice-yearly global survey of its kind, is aimed at assessing the confidence levels of consumers, their spending habits and concerns.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 7, 2006)