Subprime mortgage crisis
Although the Subprime mortgage crisis attacked the economy in Hong Kong and Macau, Royal's business was still growing at a steady rate. Royal expanded its branches boldly in 2008, nearly located a new branch every month. The most successful stores are the branches near the Praca das Portas do Cerco. For example, the Royal 15th branch was located in front of the thoroughfare to ZhuHai, China. Many customers from mainland China always did rush shopping there, especially in peak hours. Long waiting lines can always be seen there even if Royal has placed more cashiers in that store. The operating hour was from 10:00 to 23:30 in the first month though, later on it had extended immediately.&lt;br&gt;