Octopus unveils HK$68.8m lai see giveaway to boost local economy

Octopus Cards is distributing HK$68.8 million in red packets to encourage citizens to spend locally during the Chinese New Year and support Hong Kong's shift towards becoming a cashless city.

This distribution of the red packets will span the longest period and include the most eligible spending points ever, according to Commercial Radio Hong Kong. Octopus Cards said that based on previous promotional activities, users typically see a spending increase of 30% to 50%. The red packet giveaway aims to result in a two to threefold increase in user spending during the Chinese New Year period.

Starting next Monday (27 January) until the end of February, Octopus Cards will hand out HK$1.2 million red packets over 33 consecutive days, totalling HK$8.88 million, along with over HK$60 million in merchant offers. Users can receive up to HK$88 in red packet money.

More than 25 merchants are participating, including chain restaurants such as McDonald's, Maxim's MX, bakeries such as Maxim's Cakes and Arome Bakery; supermarkets such as ParknShop and Mannings; and other stores such as 7-11, Circle K and Japan Home Centre (JHC).

Users can download and log into the Octopus app, scan QR codes on 36 large outdoor advertisements, tap the NFC signs in participating stores, or access the promotional website within the app to receive red packets and merchant coupons. The outdoor ads are mainly located in Causeway Bay and Mong Kok, including spots such as Kimberly Plaza, Jardine's Crescent, and Russell Street, with additional advertisements at some bus stops and trams. 

Octopus will distribute red packets daily at 7am, 1am, and 6pm. There is a set limit on the number of red packets available each day, and citizens can claim them only once per day. Pariticipants can win the red packets and e-vouchers by playing the festive mini-game in the Octopus app. The red packets must be redeemed on the day they are issued or the next day, or they will expire on the third day.

After participating in the game, users can win red packets worth HK$2, HK$6, HK$8, or HK$88, along with e-vouchers from the participating merchants.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Octopus Cards for more information. 

Don’t miss: Octopus partners with over 60 brands to launch shopping rewards for elderly

Back in August last year, Octopus Cards partnered with over 60 brands to introduce a shopping rewards programme, offering a total of HK$8.28 million cashback in two weeks.

Also known as "8.28 JoyYou Fest" (8.28 樂悠節), the programme ran from 28 August to 10 September. This was Octopus Cards’ first celebration campaign in Hong Kong that catered to the lifestyle of JoyYou card holders, according to its LinkedIn post.

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