A recent ACNielsen global online survey conducted among 22,000 Internet users in 42 markets has revealed that 74 percent of world's consumers admit to shopping as a form of entertainment while 93 percent of Hong Kong consumers see the same.

According to the survey, seven of the top 10 markets with most people claiming to shop once a week for amusement are in Asia. People in Hong Kong (34 percent), United Arab Emirates (30 percent) and Thailand (27 percent) top the world for shopping once a week for entertainment.

Hong Kong citizens rank first again for shopping as frequent as twice a week just for something to do, followed by Thailand (9 percent) and Singapore (7 percent).

Hong Kong has long been promoted as a shopping paradise. The opening of bigger and better shopping malls with shopping, dining and entertainment all under one roof are everywhere, said Bienvenido Niles, regional president of ACNelisen, Asia Pacific.

Meanwhile, neighboring regions are also fast catching up with the biggest or tallest malls.