One of the world’s biggest mega-malls is worryingly empty
Chinese shoppers are splurging on leisure, not designer brands
On a recent Thursday afternoon, the Haikou International Duty Free City, a sprawling mega-mall on China’s southern island province of Hainan, is worryingly empty. A few families meander through the cavernous building. Without customers to attend to, sales attendants chat to pass the time. Other than your correspondent, a burger-and-shake joint was completely devoid of patrons.
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This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Bear in a China shop”
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