Hong Kong consumers stay cautious as dining out leads spending

Quality and experience still drive demand.

Hong Kong consumers remain cautious about their financial outlook, but continue to prioritise spending on dining, quality, and in-store experiences, according to Roland Berger’s Asia Consumer Study 2026.

The study said Hong Kong’s private consumption totalled US$278.4b in 2025, whilst only 25% of respondents said they felt positive about the future. Some 34% expected income growth over the next two years, whilst 42% expected their income to remain unchanged.

Dining out ranked as Hong Kong’s top spending category, ahead of household goods and groceries. More than 68% of consumers ranked dining out as a top spend category, compared with the 33% Asia average, reflecting the city’s dense urban lifestyle and strong culinary culture.

Quality remained a key purchase driver across the market. Roland Berger said 68% of Hong Kong consumers prioritised quality over price in everyday purchases, with groceries standing out as one category where product quality was especially important.

Physical retail also remained important despite the rise of digital channels. The study said 70% of Hong Kong consumers valued the in-store experience, and half preferred a mix of online and offline shopping, underscoring the role of stores as a touchpoint for brand engagement and community building.

Luxury demand, however, was more selective. Roland Berger said 66% of Hong Kong luxury consumers were quality-focused and 35% were open to shifting to luxury brands as income rises, but broader appetite in the mature market remained more muted than in emerging Asian economies.