Bargain Hunters Disappointed As Sogo Closes Early

Bargain hunters were ushered out of Causeway Bay's flagship Sogo department store early on Sunday, as anti-government protesters answered an online call to gather at popular shopping spots across Hong Kong. Doors were closed at 5 pm, five hours earlier than normal, disappointing bargain hunters who had turned up for a popular sale.

Masked demonstrators went from floor to floor, chanting "Hong Kong people, take revenge!" in the midst of shoppers.

But some people were unhappy at the decision to close the store early, saying they didn't see the need for such a move.

"Suddenly it was like, ten minutes ago, an announcement saying that the shopping mall will close and it was just like 'oh, it must be something happening outside,'" said a Ms Choi, who was shopping with her mother. "And then we came down and then nothing happened. And we were like... uh? What's going on."

Choi said they had been in the mood for shopping but they had then seen people running down. They had then tried to use the stairs to leave but were stopped by staff.

She said people had been shopping peacefully and the decision to close wasn't rational.

Many shops at Hysan Place, on the opposite side of the road from Sogo, also pulled down their shutters early as protesters also mingled among shoppers, shouting slogans.

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