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Dwindling Chinese Shoppers Add To LA's Troubled Economy
A purchasing agent photographs a luxury handbag at a store to post online and gauge demand among potential customers in China. (Courtesy of Leah Zhang)
According to a 2015 report, 70% of luxury brands bought by Chinese were purchased abroad or through daigou agents, known in English as overseas personal shoppers. They earn a living buying goods in the U.S. for customers in China.
However, these agents worry that "the golden age of this industry is probably gone" because of the coronavirus pandemic.
At the same time, Chinese tourists — who often dedicate much of their time in L.A. to hitting the outlets and malls — have all but disappeared.
MORE ON CHINESE SHOPPERS:
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