ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how Fong Bou Lung branched out into the showroom business in the 1970s. It argues that the success of Fong’s showroom business was the result of the mediation between Fong’s entrepreneurial move into the showroom business and the political economy of the local tourism industry as well as the complex relationships among overseas travel agents, local tour operators, and retail shops. The market focus of Fong’s showroom business largely followed the developmental trend of the tourism industry in Hong Kong. Since the sources of tourists had been changing from time to time, Fong’s showrooms must adapt to the trend quickly in order to accommodate different customers. Fong attempted to tailor-make the showrooms in every detail to accommodate the demand of the tourists in the hope of increasing the sales. Fong also had to pay commissions to the business promoters and the salespeople in the showroom.
