Residents say CNY coupons aid budgets but have drawbacks

As Chinese New Year approaches, both Mpay and local supermarkets are offering promotions and deals to shoppers.

Residents say these promotions are helpful for holiday expenses, but note that the coupon system still has several flaws.

To prepare for the upcoming holiday, it is common for residents to do their shopping, as the Lunar New Year coincides with the year-end shopping peak for “New Year goods,” aimed at stimulating consumption.

While many residents acknowledge the event’s intent, they believe the participation threshold is high and the discounts are limited.

Speaking on the use of coupons on Mpay, a female resident in her 50s noted that, despite receiving lucky draw coupons, she is only able to use them at a limited choice of shops. “That’s the thing – sometimes you can only use them in particular shops. I usually use them in supermarkets and restaurants. I had some that I could only use in 7-Eleven or Circle K.”

Also speaking on the matter, a 27-year-old male resident stated, “Not everyone explores Mpay, so a lot of people won’t know about discounts. If we’re talking about the tap feature, it doesn’t deduct much. I guess their intentions are good, but it doesn’t really affect much.”

A Filipina resident in her early 50s shared the pros and cons of coupons offered by Mpay or supermarkets. “Coupons from Mpay or supermarkets really help during Chinese New Year. Even small discounts make a difference when you’re buying so much food and gifts. It feels like a little bonus, like getting a mini red envelope while shopping.”

She continued, “But many coupons apply only to certain items or require a minimum spend. Popular discounts attract long lines and stock shortages. Some offers expire quickly, adding pressure to shop fast.”

Also speaking with the Times, a male resident in his late 40s shared how CNY relief measures of any kind are a lifeline for low-income families.

“Macau’s 2026 Lunar New Year relief measures are a lifeline for low-income families. While Mpay coupons and supermarket discounts provide immediate savings on festive essentials, their real value comes from being paired with government support.”

He added, “By combining these commercial incentives with an extra month of financial aid and the MOP10,000 cash handout, the city is effectively shielding its most vulnerable from festive inflation. It’s a practical, dual-layered approach that ensures everyone can afford to celebrate.”

A university student in his early 20s noted that coupons are still beneficial for people on a budget, speaking specifically about how he uses coupons on the Bank of China (BOC) app. “As for the coupons and the discounts, I think they’re really helpful. But I do have to preface that I’m not really a big spender whenever I go to the grocery store. So I’ll get a few items for myself only because I’m living on a budget.”

He continued, “And whenever I do end up using the MOP30 off coupon when I have accumulated them on my BOC app, I think it helps a lot. Especially when I spend on something that’s around MOP150. Since Chinese New Year is coming up, I feel like it could be really helpful.”

A local resident in his mid-20s said he thinks the coupons give people an advantage when they have limited time to prepare for Chinese New Year celebrations.

“Not everyone has time to do grocery shopping a week before Chinese New Year because of work, so they usually do it at the last minute. This gives those people an advantage when buying groceries, as they can use Mpay coupons without worrying about paying higher prices during the Chinese New Year.”

On the other hand, a local university student shared, “I think it’s helpful for those who are on a budget. And I like how some supermarkets ask you if you have used the coupons already and let you know that you can still get discounts if not yet used.”

For a local primary teacher, she said, “In this economy, prices are increasing, and the coupon really helps me – it makes me want to spend more.” Ricaela Diputado