Hong Kong’s riot zones ‘are a boon for savvy tourists’

HONG Kong’s civil unrest has been grim for the local economy as tourists stay away in droves. But, according to Oxford Economics’ man on the ground out there, Louis Kuijs, there’s a potential silver lining. “Hotel prices are down 40% and you can get a table at the best restaurants easily. Now’s the time to come out and have a holiday here.” Time to dust off the passport.

WITH Davos upon us, the countdown begins to March’s World Finance Forum in London, which will discuss riveting subjects like “driving agility through intelligent finance” and “catalysing change from the finance seat”. A speech on “digitalisation and the finance skills revolution” comes from Kathryn Sherratt, finance director of, um, the Post Office. Which City Spy suspects loves the digital revolution.

WEST Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady doesn’t seem to take anything to heart. The Apprentice lackey witnessed fan protests on Saturday and featured in a rather spiky Sunday Times interview, but later tweeted: “Got to love a Sunday afternoon... 2 walks, a run in the park and now a cuddle!” A disgruntled Hammer responds: “Be an even better Sunday if you announced you, Sully and Gold are all leaving,” referring to joint owners Davids Sullivan and Gold. Ouch.

COULD sellers of bog roll, make-up, and shampoo be a rare bright spot on the troubled High Street? Dan Simms, co-head of retail agency at property firm Colliers International, has taken to LinkedIn and says Superdrug and Savers are on the hunt for scores more shops this year. Landlords will be relieved at least some chains are expanding.

SPY spots a clue to Coram Williams’ departure from Strand-headquartered FTSE 100 giant Pearson. The finance chief lives in Berlin and commutes to London every week, staying in a flat Monday to Friday. His new company, staffing specialist Adecco, is based in Zurich, Switzerland. The hop across the border will be far more welcome on these chilly winter days.

FOR those still pursuing New Year’s resolutions to read more insightful business tomes come recommendations from self-styled business mentor and author Karen Green. (A former buyer for Tesco and Boots, so, authoritative…). Green recommends Why We Buy by Paco Underhill, which has been described as a “Sherlock Holmes for retailers”. Sounds captivating, my dear Watson.