In reversal, Hong Kong shoppers flock to Shenzhen to bargain hunt

GUANGZHOU/HONG KONG -- Hong Kong, previously a magnet for shoppers from mainland China, is losing local consumer spending to nearby Shenzhen, as high prices and the territory's strong currency erode its edge.

A subway ride from Admiralty Station in central Hong Kong to the Luohu border crossing in Shenzhen on a recent Sunday morning took about 50 minutes and 50 Hong Kong dollars ($6.40). The train was filled with families and couples, with some passengers carrying bags or small suitcases.