Ms Jill Li from the public relations division at President Chain Store Corp – one of the largest firms operating convenience stores, including 7-Eleven, in Taiwan – said that previously, its outlets had just one discount rate for two periods.
Last year, the firm added another period with a 20 per cent discount. Stores have since observed an increase in consumer demand, she added.
“On our app, consumers can subscribe to their favourite stores to keep track of the promotions. The system is very popular among office workers, young people and students,” she said.
LOW WAGES, HIGH PROPERTY PRICES
On average, Mr Lin takes home about US$1,500 a month, a fifth of which goes to his savings.
With the remaining money, he has to support his mother, and pay rent and other expenses.
Latest official data showed that Taiwanese under the age of 30 earned about US$1,300 a month, around three times lower than their peers in South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Taiwan’s wages have stayed stagnant for the past three decades, observers said.
While Mr Lin hopes to eventually own a place, he fears his dream may not come true. Taiwan’s main city centres are known to be among the least affordable housing markets in the world.
“Based on my current income and the kind of savings that I have, it’s unlikely that I can afford to buy a house,” he said.
He, however, continues to keep his ambition alive.
“I hope that in five to 10 years, my income will grow higher and higher, and I will be able to save up money for a down payment for a house,” he said.
