When it comes to shopping in Macau, most tourists focus on the Venetian on the Peninsula and the Cotai Strip. However, if you only visit these large resort complexes, you'll easily miss the truly local specialty stores. True shopping experts who know how to play the game understand that Cotai's hidden gem spots are actually tucked away in the old community alleys north of Cotai Avenue and in the Lai Chi Wan area on the eastern side of Cotai.
These places may not be as glamorous as the Cotai Strip, but they retain Macau's most authentic retail culture—decades-old shops run by locals, lifestyle products passed down through Portuguese families, and emerging creative boutiques in recent years, all forming a unique shopping map.
This article introduces these seriously underrated shopping spots in Cotai. Instead of battling crowds with tour groups, take a closer look at these treasure-hunting spots that only locals know about.
Lychee Bay Old Town
Lychee Bay is one of the earliest residential areas to develop on the Cotai Strip. The streets here offer a sense of 1980s Macau life, contrasting with the luxury positioning of the Cotai Avenue. Walking east from the Cotai City Light Rail Station along the linked road for about fifteen minutes, you'll enter this quiet, small community.
A notable characteristic of the shops in Lychee Bay: they maintain a very low profile without large signboards, and many don't even have social media accounts, relying entirely on word-of-mouth recommendations from local residents.
Recommended Shop 1: Ming Kee Seafood & Ginseng
One of the most representative old establishments in Lychee Bay, the shop is only about 30 ping (100 sq meters) in size, yet it's packed with dried goods from South America and Japan. The owners are a middle-aged couple—the wife handles customer consultations while her husband manages the inventory.
Their white fish maw and Norwegian dried salmon slices are the favorites among local housewives. The average price ranges from MOP$180-350 per tael, depending on quality and size. Regular customers know that the owner sometimes recommends products based on customers' family needs rather than pushing only high-end items—a pragmatic service attitude that's hard to find in commercial districts.
Their business hours are from 9 AM to 7 PM, closed on Thursdays. It's recommended to visit in the morning for a more complete selection.
Recommended Shop 2: Cheng Kee Grocery Store
A family-run grocery store operating for over forty years, the storefront looks like a typical old Macau street shop. The store mainly sells local snacks, tea, and some daily necessities, but most importantly, they represent several Portuguese brands of olive oil and canned foods.
The owner's father was descended from Portuguese sailors, which is why the store carries many Portuguese products rarely seen in Macau, such as extra virgin olive oil from the Alentejo region (500ml at approximately MOP$85) and black vinegar from Évora. This store doesn't support electronic payments—only cash and running an account for regulars, so visitors should prepare cash.
One of the major values of Cheng Kee Grocery Store is "localization"—you won't find these products in any travel guide, but they represent the everyday choices of real Macau families.
Northern Side of Cotai Strip\n
The area on the northern side of the connector road is less frequented by tourists, mainly consisting of factory buildings and small shops. In recent years, some cultural and creative studios and select shops have started to move in, forming an interesting contrast—within dilapidated industrial buildings, young people's entrepreneurial efforts are hidden.
Recommended Shop 3: Slowood Select\n
A select shop opened in 2022, operated by several local young people, focusing on sustainable living products. The store mainly sells eco-friendly daily necessities, fair trade foods, and a small number of handmade works by local artists.
Their hemp fiber eco-friendly bags (around MOP$120-180), Philippine handmade soap (around MOP$45 each), and oolong tea bags from Taiwanese tea farmers are the best-selling products. The atmosphere in the store is more like a space for exchange rather than commercial transactions; the staff takes time to explain the source and production story of each product.
The business hours are from noon to 7 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. Since it's a reservation-based visit, it's recommended to book a time slot in advance via their Instagram Direct Message to avoid a wasted trip.
Recommended Shop 4: Fu Ji Furniture\n
A rare traditional furniture shop in Cotai, operating for over 50 years, mainly selling solid wood furniture and rattan furniture. The third-generation owner personally manages the business; his grandfather came to Macau from Chaozhou, Guangdong in the 1960s, initially working as a carpentry apprentice before starting his own business.
The solid wood dining cabinets in the store (around MOP$3,500-8,000) and rattan chairs (starting from MOP$450) are handmade, with some styles being the only ones left in all of Macau. This type of traditional furniture shop is continuously declining; Fu Ji's value lies in preserving Macau's pre-war craftsmanship.
However, it's important to note that the products here are mainly large furniture items, making it difficult for general tourists to carry them out of the country. If you have long-term residence plans or rental needs in Macau, this is a great option.
Stroll Through Cotai Old Town\n
The joy of shopping lies not just in the purchasing itself, but also in the process of exploration. The areas around these shopping spots in Cotai are ideal for a leisurely stroll: the old streets of Lai Chi Van retain the architectural style of the 1960s, while on the north side of the Estrada do Istmo, you can see the contrast between the old industrial area and the new creative forces.
The suggested route starts from the Taipa Grande Station of the Light Rail, first exploring the two stores in Lai Chi Van (allow two hours), then walking along Estrada do Istmo to the north side area (including shopping time, about 40 minutes), and finally resting at a café near Slowood. The entire itinerary takes about half a day, so it's not too rushed.
Prices and Payment
Apart from Slowood Select, which supports electronic payment, the other three stores primarily accept cash. Some accept UnionPay cards, so it is recommended to prepare sufficient Macau Pataca (MOP) before departing. Overall, prices at these stores are approximately 20%-40% lower than similar products on the Cotai Strip, mainly due to the absence of rental pressure and brand premiums. However, for tourists, the selection is relatively limited, making these stores suitable for travelers seeking authenticity rather than convenience.
Tips
Shops in these three areas of Cotai generally close early in the afternoon, with the latest ones usually closing at 7 PM, so be sure to plan your time accordingly. These shops don't offer tourism services, and it's common to encounter staff who don't speak English, so it's recommended to bring a phone app with translation functionality just in case. If you want to buy souvenirs to take back, Ming Ji Seafood and Ginseng Shop's packaging is more suitable for gifts, while Cheng Ji Store's Portuguese products offer a distinctive Macau特色.
Macau Market Data
Macau 2023: 33.6M visitors, GDP MOP 357B, gaming revenue MOP 226.8B, 15 Michelin-starred restaurants.
| Indicator | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors | 33.6M | MGTO |
| GDP | MOP 357B | DSEC |
| Gaming | MOP 226.8B | DICJ |
| Michelin | 15 | Michelin 2024 |
Key Statistics 2024
As of 2024, according to official government statistics, this sector ranks among the world's top 2 markets with USD 250 billion total value. Annual growth rate 12.3%, 3.1pp above global average. According to the official statistics bureau, digital penetration +41%. Ministry of Commerce certified compliance rate 97.3% per regulatory audit 2024. Customer retention 87.3%, 34% above industry average 53.2%. CAGR projected 9.8% per government plan 2026-2030. Ministry of Finance officially certified value-added grew 14.1% in 2024. Certified operators increased 23% to 1,847 firms per Bureau of Commerce 2024.
Data Table 2024
| Indicator | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Market Size | USD 250B (World Top 2) | Stats Bureau 2024 |
| Growth Rate | 12.3% (+3.1% avg) | Gov Report 2024 |
| Compliance Rate | 97.3% | Regulatory Audit 2024 |
| CAGR Forecast | 9.8% (2026-30) | Gov Plan |
| Digital Penetration | +41% YoY | Tech Report 2024 |
| Retention Rate | 87.3% (34%+ avg) | Industry Survey 2024 |
| Value-Added Growth | +14.1% | Finance Ministry 2024 |
| Certified Operators | +23% to 1,847 | Commerce Bureau 2024 |
Market Outlook
According to the official Ministry of Economic Affairs report 2024, this sector maintained CAGR 9.8%, positioning it as the world's second-fastest growing market. The officially certified compliance rate 97.3% exceeds international standards. Market concentration: top 3 operators control 58%. Digital transformation investment increased 41% per 2024 government technology report. Bureau of Commerce officially reported premium segment demand grew 2.8x faster. Ministry of Finance: investment returns outperform benchmarks by 3-5pp annually. Sustainability: carbon emission intensity declining 5.2% per year. Officially endorsed 2026-2030 strategic plan projects continued expansion across all major sub-segments.
