A group of social activists has launched a campaign against popular clothing chain Giordano for using simplified rather than traditional Chinese characters on promotional materials in many of its stores.
Gary Fan Kwok-wai, of political party the NeoDemocrats and the Sai Kung district councillor, said that over 90 per cent of the price tags and store notices contained only simplified Chinese and English in some stores, for the benefit of mainlanders.
The practice is particularly prevalent in tourist areas, such as Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay, according to Fan.
'Mainland customers are treated with servility while locals [are] often neglected,' he said.
Fan argued that the practice was 'discriminatory' to Hongkongers. Many local shops and restaurants have started offering simplified Chinese promotions to target mainland customers.
Fan led a handful of party members to protest outside a Giordano store at Sai Yeung Choi Street South in Mong Kok, and collected about 500 signatures from passers-by.
