While mainland China struggles with trade fair postponements due to Covid regulations, Hong Kong is keeping time with its exhibition programme and the 41st HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 10th Salon de TE was successfully staged as an in-person event 7-11 September.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd, this year’s show also adopted a new EXHIBITION+ hybrid model.
In all, 6,200 industry buyers visited the physical fairs and browsed products online, as well as more than 25,000 public visitors. The online fairs will continue to run until 6 October. HKTDC arranged more than 1,200 business meetings, enabling global watch and clock traders to explore business opportunities through the fairs’ online platform.
HKTDC deputy executive director Sophia Chong said: “Although numerous sectors around the world, including the watch and clock industry, have been hard hit by the pandemic, we are pleased to see that affordable luxury watches are a hot pick in the market, and that watches featuring innovative technologies and sustainable elements are part of the new fashion trend. This year, the two fairs showcased a wide range of trendy, high-quality products from notable brands. Exhibitors were also able to capitalise on retail opportunities driven by the recent disbursement of the government's consumption vouchers."
An HKTDC on site survery of the exhibitors showed that 39% of them are engaged in e-tailing businesses, while 33% indicated an intention to invest resources in developing an e-tailing business over the next two years to capture more orders. Regarding product trends, respondents expected smart watches (47%) to be the most popular watch category in 2023, followed by mechanical watches (15%) and digital analogue watches (14%).
The two fairs were open to the general public this year and the on-site survey revealed that the per capita consumption of public visitors was HK$1,146. Mike Lam, chief operating officer of Mira Watch International Ltd, said the traffic at the fair was very good. “We expect this year's on-site sales turnover to reach HK$1m ($US127,000).”
Following a successful series of fairs over the summer, the HKTDC will hold the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), International ICT Expo, electronicAsia, Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo 13-16 October, all of which will adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model.
