On a sunny Thursday afternoon, the Haikou International Duty Free City in Hainan, China, was eerily quiet. Families strolled through the vast mall, but there weren’t many shoppers around. Sales attendants stood around chatting, with no one to assist. Even the burger-and-shake joint was empty, except for yours truly.
Not really sure why this matters, but the lack of customers in such a huge mall is quite puzzling. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like there should be more people shopping on a weekday afternoon. The scene was a stark contrast to the bustling nature of most shopping centers, leaving a sense of unease in the air.
The deserted mall raised questions about the spending habits of Chinese consumers. It seems that they are more interested in leisure activities than splurging on designer brands. This shift in priorities could have significant implications for the retail industry in China. It’s unclear how this trend will impact businesses in the long run, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
