An influx of mainland investors has descended on Hong Kong's retail investment market recently, analysts say.

'Of 10 recent retail transactions in recent months, four buyers were mainlanders, compared with few instances in the sector before this increase,' said Kenneth Yau Ka-shing, the sales director of Centaline Property's retail department.

Examples cited by Yau include the sale of a 1,900 square foot shop at No 142 Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok to a mainland investor for HK$30.5m.

A 300 sqft shop at 77-83 Percival Street in Causeway Bay was sold to a mainland investor for about HK$49m in June.

The rental yield on the investment was about 3.9%.

South China Morning Post