Dry stall rent reaches three-year high in lunar new year fair

Dry stall holders at the city’s largest Lunar New Year Fair at Victoria Park are facing the highest rent since the return of dry goods stalls in the 2024 fair.

The government reintroduced dry goods booths after a four-year suspension after the dry stalls were canceled due to crowd control reasons in 2020. In the following years, they were canceled due to the pandemic.

According to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, this year’s fair had an average bid of HK$17,847 for a regular-sized dry stall, a 52.5% increase compared to last year. 

Icy Lo, 22, a Japanese goods seller, has been at the fair since last year. 

Lo said her rent this year has increased by around HK$4000-$5000.

She added her sales on the first day were fine, and more people will be at the fair after normal working hours.

Belle Chan, 25, a local nursing student, sells traditional Hong Kong snacks with her family. This is her fourth time holding a stall at Victoria Park. 

“The rent has gone up. Last year's rent was just around HK$8,000.” Chan said. 

Chan said more people are going to the fair when compared to the early post-COVID years, leading to higher bidding prices for a store.

This year, her stall moved from the corner to the aisle and she worried this would worsen their sales.

Despite the increased cost, some still wanted to try running a store.

Kenny Cheung, 25, returned to Victoria Park to sell lion dance-themed merchandise after a seven-year absence. He said the rent was similar when he was last here.

“I didn’t come to make a lot of money, but to enjoy the atmosphere and promote traditional culture,” Cheung said.

Yeung Ying-kei, 18, a local student, visiting the fair for the first time with her friend from the mainland, said she came mainly for the food and lively atmosphere. 

“I didn’t expect it to be this lively. The prices are fair, and it’s fun walking through the crowd and tasting everything,” Yeung said.  

The Victoria Park Lunar New Year fair opened on Feb. 11 and will run for seven days, closing at 7pm on Feb. 17.