(b)
(c)
(e)
(f)
CONFIDENTIAL #2
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機密
level of activity enjoyed by connected services such as tourist coaches, shopping agents, tc. ̈1 reached unprecedented levels.
Advertising agents similarly reported very
favourable results.
THE
Total volume of business
increased considerably, although competition was
fierce too.
More money was spent in sales promotion than ever before, particularly by businessmen dealing in cigarettes, wines and liquor, realty (domestic flats and industrial premises), and domestic
electric appliances.
(d) Printing and packaging also enjoyed a good year,
despite increase in operating costs and overheads. Television time slots for advertising had to be booked many months in advance, even though cost to advertisers had gone up because of revision of rates charged by television stations. Christmas shopping reflected the same high level of spending as 1976. Sales indicated a powerful demand for expensive items, despite increased prices. Businessmen could detect no change in the pattern of consumer or household expenditure compared with Christmas 1976, except that they sold much more warm clothing in 1976 because of the cold spells.
g) PLBs and taxis as well as red-plate hire cars
(illegal taxis) were doing very good business. Some PLB operators in Shamshuipo were reportedly making a net profit of about $4,000 per month. People complained about their difficulties in getting a taxi in any busy part of town, and those in a hurry were left with no alternative but to
pay exorbitant charges to unscrupulous red-plate operators who sometimes demanded double the normal tariff. The "market price" of a taxi was estimated to be worth $230,000 and that of a PLB $180,000. Taxi companies reported that there was
currently a shortage of taxi-drivers, about one- third of whom were believed to have been employed
/t
CONFIDENTIAL #2 機密
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