4.3 Grocery stores before the Second World War

In the period before the Second World War, grocery stores played an important role in the daily life of Hong Kong people. Most staples could be bought there, including what the Cantonese called "the seven essences of a household" - firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea - as well as peas and preserved food.

The majority of customers were neighbours of the store owners, who lived on the premises.

To maintain their business by word of mouth and their local knowledge, the owners were highly selective when it came to choosing the goods they stocked.

These grocery stores have gradually been replaces by supermarkets and convenience stores since the 1970s.

Credit : History Museum of HK.