The closure of the gym chain Physical Fitness topped the Consumer Council’s annual Top 10 Consumer News, receiving more than half of the total votes. The results, announced on Wednesday, reflected a record turnout of 14,429 voters this year.
The Consumer Council reported that Physical Fitness’ closure secured 7,934 votes, accounting for over half of the total, and generated over 5,000 consumer complaints, totaling nearly HK$200 million.
In second place was the absence of football star Lionel Messi from the Inter Miami exhibition match in February 2024, which received 4,552 votes. The suspension of the Municipal Solid Waste Charging Scheme after its demonstration phase followed closely in third place with 4,409 votes.
Messi’s absence also earned the “Most Outrageous” consumer news title, securing 9,440 votes, or 65 percent of the total, in one of the “Hot Topic” categories.
Other significant entries in the top 10 included the regulation of disposable plastic tableware, the closure of fermented tofu brand Liu Ma Kee, the lifting of demand-side measures for residential properties, Basic Housing Units, the rise in northbound consumption, the “panda economy,” and fare hikes for public transport.
Clement Chan Kam-wing, chairman of the Consumer Council, urged consumers to be cautious when signing pre-paid service contracts, especially during the economic downturn. He pointed to the closures of Physical Fitness and Liu Ma Kee as examples. Chan also noted the gradual increase in inbound visitors last year, leading to more diverse consumption patterns.
As the government promotes a “mega event economy,” Chan called on event organizers to learn from the consumer backlash triggered by Messi’s absence, which led to numerous complaints.
