Clothing carrying Hong Kong brand names are enjoying better opportunities on the Chinese mainland, according to a survey released in Hong Kong Wednesday (Dec 31st, 2003).

The survey, conducted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), shows that consumers on the mainland take to Hong Kong's fashionable designs, cut and prices, and are highly interested in new brand names.

Mainland retailers are bullish about Hong Kong's prospects in the garment business and are keen on bringing in more Hong Kong brands, according to the survey which was conducted in the third quarter of 2003.

The study examined the characteristics of garment markets in Harbin, Shenyang, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Ningbo on the Chinese mainland.

Consumer behavior was analyzed as were the competitiveness of Hong Kong brands, consumers' spending power and the retail environment on the mainland.

Hong Kong garment-makers should not hesitate to launch new brands, particularly in the mid-and high-end segments of the market, says the survey, conducted by TDC's Assistant Chief Economist Dickson Ho.

Students were found to be the biggest buyers of casual wear; office ladies (not necessarily executives) were the strongest buyers of office dress; and male professionals and managers were also found to be the biggest spenders on office wear, the survey says.

The competitiveness of Hong Kong brand names rests mainly on style, quality and brand image. The study revealed that Hong Kong fashion trends were a big influence on mainland shoppers' choice of garments.

Hong Kong clothing companies are in an advantageous position to set up wholesale and retail businesses on the mainland as a result of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement's (CEPA's) preferential treatment, it says.

Editor: Wing