Eve Leung has the run of the luxury retailers that proliferate in Hong Kong’s glitzy malls. But in recent months she has preferred the lure of something far more prosaic: a big box retailer across the border in southern China.

Every few weeks, she spends as much as HK$2,000 (US$256) in Sam’s Club, an American membership warehouse chain, in Zhuhai. “Things are much cheaper than Hong Kong,” said Leung, in her 40s. Fresh fruit, tissue paper, toothpaste and chocolate are among the items that she has brought back to Hong Kong.

Hongkongers are increasingly flocking to mainland China on weekend getaway trips, attracted by cheaper groceries and American-style wholesale warehouses. Thousands have signed up for local travel agency tours to these warehouses, including to a new Costco opening on Friday in Shenzhen.