美联：第一季香港四大核心购物区街铺空置率升至约12.1% 创近4年半新高

Group 1 - The vacancy rate of street shops in Hong Kong's four core shopping areas (Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, and Causeway Bay) rose to approximately 12.1% in Q1 2025, marking a nearly 4.5-year high [1] - In the first five months, the shop market experienced an increase in the number of registrations (395, up about 6.5% year-on-year) but a decrease in registered amounts (approximately HKD 6.467 billion, down about 26.7% year-on-year) [1] - Short-term rentals are becoming increasingly popular as landlords prefer to lease vacant properties in this manner to maintain property value and foot traffic, leading to a rise in businesses like toy shops and miscellaneous goods stores [1] Group 2 - The traditional retail sector continues to shrink, particularly in the food, hardware, and clothing industries, significantly impacted by high interest rates and consumer spending trends [2] - From Q3 2024 to Q1 2025, 847 shop units became vacant or had new tenants, with a closure rate of 11.4%, the highest since the pandemic recovery [2] - Despite the closures, 786 businesses opened during the same period, resulting in an opening rate of 10.6%, indicating an improvement in market turnover and a quick filling of vacancies in the shop rental market [2]