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Tag: Causeway

  • Marimekko Unveils Flagship Store In Causeway Bay: A Revitalized Shopping Experience

    Marimekko Unveils Flagship Store In Causeway Bay: A Revitalized Shopping Experience

    Marimekko, the iconic Finnish design company, is globally renowned for its fashion and home decor products featuring vivid, abstract prints designed to spread an ethos of joy and positivity. This lifestyle brand is an embodiment of timeless elegance and a summery sense of joy. If you are drawn to the brand’s vibrant ‘flower power’ aesthetic, make a note of October 16 in your diary. That’s when Marimekko is set to unveil a new flagship store in Causeway Bay. This eagerly awaited launch is significant, as it symbolizes not only a new beginning for Marimekko in Hong Kong but also the company’s dedication to crafting an immersive in-store retail experience that strikes a chord with customers.

    Marimekko’s Return to Causeway Bay

    Marimekko first broke into the Hong Kong market in 2012, opening a store on Leighton Road in Causeway Bay. The forthcoming flagship store, remaining on the same street, represents a sort of homecoming for the brand. However, this is not just a return, but a stunning transformation; a fresh design and expanded offerings promise a completely reimagined Marimekko experience for its Hong Kong-based fans. Moreover, the store’s façade, centered around Marimekko’s well-known ‘Unikko’ print, will be unmissable, serving to highlight the brand’s printmaking legacy. Upon entering the shop, customers will feel as though they’ve been transported to Marimekko’s textile printing factory in Helsinki, with the striking interior design inspired by the Finnish workshop.

    What to Expect from the New Flagship

    Marimekko fans can anticipate a carefully curated collection of products, including clothing, accessories, home furnishings, and even printed fabrics — all emblazoned with the brand’s signature prints. Items featuring the ‘Unikko’ design are sure to be a hit, but the bold ‘Kivet’ and sleek ‘Tiiliskivi’ prints are expected to be crowd pleasers as well.

    At present, Marimekko has six retail sites in Hong Kong, including an outlet shop at Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung, so the new Leighton Road flagship will find itself in good company. Furthermore, according to a Marimekko Instagram post, eligible purchases will be accompanied by a complimentary Marimekko tote bag — an incentive that is sure to entice shoppers!

    Questions & Answers

    When did Marimekko first enter the Hong Kong market?
    Marimekko first entered the Hong Kong market in 2012, with a store on Leighton Road in Causeway Bay.

    What’s special about the new flagship store in Causeway Bay?
    The new flagship store represents a homecoming for Marimekko. It features a completely new design and an expanded range of offerings, promising a unique Marimekko experience for fans in Hong Kong.

    What can customers expect from the new Marimekko store?
    Customers can look forward to a carefully curated selection of products, including clothing, accessories, home goods, and printed fabrics, all featuring the brand’s signature prints.

  • To Summer Opens Flagship Store In Hong Kong, Fusing Local Tradition With Eastern Ethos

    To Summer Opens Flagship Store In Hong Kong, Fusing Local Tradition With Eastern Ethos

    To Summer, a premier fragrance brand based in Beijing, has broadened its operations beyond China’s mainland by inaugurating its debut store in Hong Kong.

    A Blend of Local Culture and Eastern Spirit

    Situated in Causeway Bay, the new outlet is labeled ‘Made in Hong Kong’ and illustrates an intriguing fusion of local tradition and Eastern ethos. The brand displays its complete array of offerings at this store, encompassing a variety of perfumes, home fragrances, and body care commodities.

    Distinct Features of the Store

    The flagship store stands out with four unique sections, namely The Eastern Ingredients Studio, Changwu Pavilion, Study Room, and Bathroom. Each of these rooms embodies specific aspects of the brand and its character.

    Strengthening Local Market Presence

    Arnold Lau, the spokesperson for To Summer, expressed that their primary focus would be on nurturing the Hong Kong market and catering to local customers. He revealed that the brand intends to use the Causeway Bay store as a strategic base for deploying resources and gradually escalating their operations.

    Lau further emphasized the exceptional status of Hong Kong as a global financial and cultural center. He believes that this provides an unrivaled stage for brands like To Summer to exhibit their products and engage with a diverse international clientele.

    Inspiration Behind the Store

    The design of the store draws its inspiration from historic craftsmanship and the essence of Hong Kong artisans. Various elements reflect the influence of Hakka, the Sham Shui Po fabric market, hand-carved artist Jin Fa Mahjong, and celebrated designer Alan Chan.

    Past Endeavors in Mainland China

    In mainland China, To Summer has demonstrated a commitment to preserving cultural heritage. The brand initiated a project to rehabilitate ancient structures, such as its Kuiyuan residence store in Guangzhou. It also organized a pop-up event in Shenzhen earlier this year.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the range of products offered by To Summer at its Hong Kong store?
    To Summer offers a wide array of products at its Hong Kong store, including perfumes, home fragrances, and body care products.

    What are the unique features of To Summer’s Hong Kong store?
    The To Summer store in Hong Kong has four distinct sections: The Eastern Ingredients Studio, Changwu Pavilion, Study Room, and Bathroom. Each room represents specific aspects of the brand and its offerings.

    What inspired the design of the To Summer store in Hong Kong?
    The store design draws inspiration from historic craftsmanship and the spirit of local Hong Kong artisans, integrating elements from Hakka, the Sham Shui Po fabric market, hand-carved artist Jin Fa Mahjong, and renowned designer Alan Chan.

  • Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay still top of the world’s most expensive retail strips

    Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay still top of the world’s most expensive retail strips

    Hong Kong ́s Causeway Bay remains top of the world’s most expensive retail strips, with rents rising to US$2745 per square feet per annum, 2.3 per cent higher than last year.

    New York ́s Upper 5th Avenue, with annual retail rents at $2250/sqft, retained the number two position on Cushman & Wakefield ́s latest rankings. Singapore’s Orchard Road does not appear in the top10, due to its retail stores considered to be almost exclusively inside shopping centres rather than defined as ‘high-street’.

    Completing the top five are New Bond Street in London, followed by Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris and Milan’s Via Montenapoleone.

    The top 10 worldwide shopping streets by rent (in US$/sqft/year):

    1 Causeway Bay (Hong Kong) – $2745

    2 Upper 5th Avenue (New York) – $2250

    3 New Bond Street (London) – $1714

    4 Avenue des Champs-Elysees (Paris) – $1478

    5 Via Montenapoleone (Milan) – $1447

    6 Ginza (Tokyo) – $1251

    7 Pitt Street Mall (Sydney) – $1076

    8 Bahnhofstrasse (Zurich) – $886

    9 Myeongdong (Seoul) – $862

    10 Kohlmarkt (Vienna) – $513

    Greater China represents seven of the top 20 Asian locations in the world’s most expensive retail strips, including Hong Kong (1st), Beijing (6th), Shanghai (8th), Shenzhen (11th), Guangzhou (13th), Taipei (15th) and Nanjing (20th).

    Major cities in China continue to see a significant amount of new retail developments, with activities being driven by both domestic and international retailers, with the latter continuing to pursue a strategy of opening in multiple locations.

    In Hong Kong, increasing pressure on rents continues as a result of growing local political unrest and the ongoing US-China trade tensions.

    Bonifacio High Street in Taguig, Greater Manila, in the Philippines recorded the biggest rental decline in Asia Pacific, posting 28.6-per-cent decrease.

    In Australia, rents in some locations have fallen, particularly in CBD strip retail areas. In contrast, rents on some of the higher footfall pitches have increased, including Sydney’s George Street.

    In the Americas, recent rental trends have varied by location, with high-street rents in some areas in Canada and the US remain under pressure.

    Retail rents in around 70 percent of the locations in Europe have generally stabilized despite the increasing polarisation.

    “In terms of rental performance, this year’s results are encouraging and demonstrate the resilience of the premier retail locations,” says Darren Yates, head of EMEA retail research at Cushman & Wakefield.

    “Rents on the world’s most expensive retail strips have been fairly stable and there is greater clarity on where retail is heading. However, there is downward pressure on rents in many weaker locations, particularly in the more mature markets of Europe and North America.  In Asia Pacific, retail has generally performed well across a very diverse group of markets.”

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  • Esprit to quit Causeway Bay flagship Store

    Esprit to quit Causeway Bay flagship Store

    Hong Kong-listed fashion brand Esprit Holdings will not renew the lease for its flagship store in Causeway Bay, local media reports.

    Expiring in June, the lease for the 7000sqft (650sqm) store in Leighton Centre has cost Esprit about HK$2 million (US$254,862) a month since 2014.

    Esprit chairman Raymond Or says cost saving is not the sole reason for the move. The company also considers location and size as factors. “A large store might not bring about good results,” he told Apple Daily.

    JLL national director of research Cathie Chung says Esprit may be shifting its location strategy to be more mall-focused with a smaller shop size, reports Mingtiandi. “Compared to street shops, shopping malls tend to have a more balanced trade mix and guaranteed foot traffic, so it is more likely for Esprit to enjoy spillover benefit from complementary tenants. Promotion activities by malls can also attract shoppers.”

    Hysan, which owns the commercial complex where Esprit has been leasing two units, has been marketing the property to potential tenants at the same rate, reports say.

    Shop rents in Causeway Bay in the past quarter have dropped 53 per cent from their peak in the fourth quarter of 2014, says Chung who describes the owners’ stance as “rather soft”, allowing for rent negotiations.

    Fashion brand Twist last month leased a two-storey shop in East Point Road in Causeway Bay for 56 per cent less than the $1.1 million monthly rent the previous tenant had been paying, while Russell Street, once the most expensive retail destination in the world, has also seen rent cuts. Swatch Group last week, for example, was able to renew its lease for a street-front shop at a rate about a third lower than the $1 million a month specified when it first signed three years ago.

    Meanwhile, Esprit had a net loss of $954 million in the second half of last year. CEO Jose Manuel Martinez said the results were below expectation because of weaker sales at its stores because of a drop in customer traffic.

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  • Ted Baker Hong Kong flagship opens

    Ted Baker Hong Kong flagship opens

    Ted Baker has opened a new flagship in Hong Kong – inspired by the style of the territory.

    The UK-based retailer has created a unique store design which incorporates famous Hong Kong themes such as the city’s skinny double decker trams.

    Ted Baker Causebay Hong Kong 415

    The end result is a mix of British and Hong Kong – tongue and groove timber ceilings with train carriage styled lights suspended on both sides give the feel of being inside a vintage Hong Kong tram.

    Ted Baker on tram - Hong Kong 415

    Timber panelling on the lower wall, with a blurred image sitting behind glass evoke the feeling of looking through the window of a speeding tram.

    The front of the Ted Baker Hong Kong store features vertical panels of glazed tiles, similar to those on the London Underground.

    Ted Baker Causebay Hong Kong 3-415

    And as shoppers climb the stairs to the store’s second floor, images of Hong Kong’s modern skyline convey the feel of a steep ascent on the territory’s popular Peak tram.

    Ted Baker Causebay Hong Kong 2-415

    There are rows of model trams at the cashier’s desk and custom designed wallpaper featuring old tram tickets in the fitting rooms.

    Ted Baker Causebay Hong Kong 1- 415

    The store is in the Fashion Walk Mall, Causeway Bay.