Tag: Hong Kong

  • Panerai Opens Tsim Sha Tsui Centre Boutique

    Panerai Opens Tsim Sha Tsui Centre Boutique

    Florentine high-end luxury watchmaker Panerai has opened a boutique in Kowloon.

    The 60sqm Panerai Tsim Sha Tsui Centre store is the fifth opened in Hong Kong, after the Landmark Prince, Canton Road, IFC and Times Square boutiques.

    The concept of the design and materials used reflect Panerai’s Italian tradition and stands as a reference to the underwater universe. The use of oak, veined Italian marble, burnished brass, bronze, and a special “reeded” glass reinterprets the watchmaker’s technical codes, as well as the brass lights and sales counters with wooden details recalling the sea and sailing ships.

    Panerai now has 85 boutiques throughout the world, five of which are in Hong Kong.

  • Rituals Hong Kong Store About To Open

    Rituals Hong Kong Store About To Open

    The first standalone Rituals Hong Kong store is slated for opening in July as the Dutch cosmetics retailer ramps up its presence in Asia.

    The company has promoted business development manager of travel retail, Marjet de Vlieger, as head of travel retail Apac. She will take up the newly created role on July 1 and relocate to the city in January. A Rituals Hong Kong office and warehouse are set to open next month.

    Until now, Rituals has only been sold in the region through concessions, including one at the T Galleria by DFS stores on Kowloon’s Canton Road. But that is about to change. Along with the Hong Kong store, the first in Asia, Rituals plans 10 new points of sale in the region, including a debut in South Korea.

    “Opening the Hong Kong office and warehouse facility is a major investment and steps forward as we look to convert the Asia opportunity,” said Rituals director of travel retail Neil Ebbutt.

    “For Rituals, travel retail is leading the way in building the brand’s presence in Asia, which not only shows the power of the channel but also allows airports and retailers to better differentiate themselves by being the gateway into the Rituals world.

    “Our vision is to build a truly global lifestyle brand and we’re ready to capitalize on this travel retail-first approach,” he said.

    Rituals has a five-year plan to build sales across Asia encompassing travel retail, standalone stores, and e-commerce. It will seek partnerships with airlines and hotels through a network of distributors.

  • Hong Kong Restaurant Profits Rise

    Hong Kong Restaurant Profits Rise

    Retail sales may be down but Hong Kong restaurant sales rose by 3 percent in the first quarter of this year.

    The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) provisionally estimates the value of restaurants receipts at HK$31.5 billion, while the value of purchases by restaurants increased by 3.1 percent to $10 billion.

    After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of restaurant receipts rose by 0.5 percent compared with a year earlier.

    By comparison, Hong Kong retail sales for the quarter fell by 1.2 percent.

    Analyzed by restaurant type, Chinese restaurant sales decreased by 0.6 percent in value and by 2.7 percent in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 4.8 percent in value and by 2.4 percent in volume. Fast food shop sales rose by 5.8 percent in value and by 2.8 percent in volume.

    Sales in bars rose by 2.6 percent in value and by 0.4 percent in volume, while “miscellaneous eating and drinking places” saw sales rise by 11.2 percent in value and by 7 percent in volume.

    C&SD also released figures for restaurant receipts and purchases for each month during the quarter. Receipts rose by 6.7 percent in January, by 0.8 percent in February and by 1.4 percent in March, compared with the same months last year.

    However, after factoring in inflation, it estimated restaurant sales rose by 3.8 percent in January but decreased by 1.3 percent in February and by 1 percent in March.

  • Little Dip in Hong Kong Retail Sales Last Month

    Little Dip in Hong Kong Retail Sales Last Month

    Hong Kong retail sales in March slipped by a negligible 0.2 percent, a slower decline than the 1.6 percent of January and February combined.

    But figures from the Census and Statistics Department show first-quarter retail sales were still down 1.2 percent year on year.

    After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of retail sales in March decreased by 0.8 percent compared with a year earlier, and for the first quarter by 1.6 per cent.

    March’s decline was driven largely by the watches, jewelry and valuable gifts sector, which fell by 2.6 percent, and apparel, down by 2.3 percent. Sales of electronic goods fell by 15.6 per cent, of optical shops by 5.7 per cent and of books and stationery by 2.5 percent.

    Conversely, sales by supermarkets increased 3.3 percent, of medicines and cosmetics by 2.5 percent, in department stores by 5 percent, and of food, liquor and tobacco by 3.6 per cent.

    Footwear and accessories sales rose by 7.1 percent, furniture by 4.3 percent and Chinese drugs and herbs by 1 percent.

    A government spokesman said the decline in Hong Kong retail sales in March “reflected the cautious consumption sentiment amid various external uncertainties”.

    He said that looking forward, retail sales business will likely continue to be affected by various external uncertainties in the near term, but the largely stable labor market and the sustained growth in inbound tourism should provide some support.

  • Kyoto Ichinoden chooses Hong Kong

    Kyoto Ichinoden chooses Hong Kong

    Japanese restaurant chain Kyoto Ichinoden has opened its first overseas restaurant in Hong Kong.

    The launch celebrates the brand’s 100th anniversary while also tapping into the city’s unique role in the region and its close ties with the Mainland market for future expansion.

    Kyoto Ichinoden’s debut local restaurant has opened at Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, in Tsim Sha Tsui. It serves traditional Japanese cuisine including Kyoto kaiseki (multi-course dinner) and traditional Kyoto dish saikyozuke (seasonal meat or fish fillet pickled in Saikyo miso).

    “Hong Kong is a vibrant city situated in the heart of the region,” said Kyoto Ichinoden HK president Jumpei Tanaka.

    “Strategically, Hong Kong is our first choice for expansion because of its geographical and economic advantages. Moreover, there is a strong passion for Japanese food, so this gives Japanese restaurants a very good head start to set up a presence here. The city is also very strong in terms of logistics and transportation, ensuring efficient supplies of fresh ingredients – essential for the operation of high-grade Japanese restaurants like ours.

    “We expect that soon we may reach out to the Mainland market and other places in East Asia from Hong Kong, given that the city is close to the Mainland market and a major business hub in Asia.

    “As the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) has become an important development and that Hong Kong plays a key role within it, having a first overseas base in Hong Kong will also help our brand build solid customer confidence and spread quickly to the Greater Bay Area in the near future.”

    InvestHK helped Kyoto Inchinoden launch in Hong Kong.

  • Joy City reveals management Revamp

    Joy City reveals management Revamp

    Hong Kong property company Joy City has revealed new management appointments and the departure of its CFO.

    Two new deputy GMs have been appointed: Song Bingxin and Guo Fengrui.

    Song, 49, joined Cofco Corporation, Joy City’s controlling shareholder, in 1994. From December 2016 to April this year, she was deputy GM at Grand Joy Holdings.

    Guo, 50, served as GM of the operations management from February 2015 and acted as the GM assistant from April 2019 at Grand Joy Holdings.

    At the same time, CFO Xu Hanping has ceased her role “due to work reallocation”, according to a stock exchange filing by Joy City.

    “Ms Xu confirmed that she has no disagreement with the board and there is no matter in relation to her cessation as the CFO that needs to be brought to the attention of the shareholders of the Company,” the statement read, before expressing gratitude for her service.

    Zhang Jianguo, 53, has been appointed as her replacement. He joined Grand Joy Holdings in 1994 and most recently served as CFO at Grand Joy Holdings.

    All the changes took effect on April 26.

    The Joy City management team now comprises Zhou Peng (GM), Yao Changlin, Song, Guo and Li Wenyao as deputy GMs and Jianguo as CFO.

  • Hong Kong designers showcased at Arab Fashion Week

    Hong Kong designers showcased at Arab Fashion Week

    Fashion Farm Foundation present international program at Dubai. Fashion Farm Foundation has showcased Hong Kong designers in international fashion program HKFG Dubai AW19 during Arab Fashion Week.

    Two Hong Kong local brands, Car|2ie and YLYstudio, presented their latest collections to showcase their works to the fashion media, buyer, insider and fashionistas. A cocktail reception was also arranged to feature eight Hong Kong local brands, introducing their designs to the invited guests.

    While the theme of the Car|2ie AW19 collection “The Proud Rose” is inspired by the Hong Kong movie “Lost Romance” and the main character Rose’s curiosity about love, the YLYstudio collection “Project” attempts a timeless and classic design without the frame of time.

    Famous Arab actor Ali Alketbi, Italian influencer Marco Parrino and singer Ghazal Sadat showed up at the event to show support for Hong Kong’s fashion design.

  • Honestbee running out of Funds

    Honestbee running out of Funds

    Innovative startup runs out of cash; suspends Hong Kong and Thai operations. Honestbee is freezing operations in Hong Kong and Thailand and laying off staff as it urgently seeks investment to stave off collapse.

    According to an in-depth, citing multiple industry sources, the Singapore-headquartered food-delivery business turned innovative food-and-grocery retailer has nearly run out of money and is unlikely to be able to pay staff this month.

    “From talking to several former and current staff, Honestbee is laying off employees, it has a range of suppliers who are owed money, it has “paused” its business in the Philippines, it has closed R&D centers in Vietnam and India, it isn’t going to make payroll in some markets and a range of executives have quit the firm in recent months,”.

    However, the potential for the sale or rescue of the business is high. The company has held talks with Grab and its rival GoJek over the potential acquisition of all or part of the business.

    Honestbee was founded four years ago. Its core business concept is using store pickers to shop for groceries at various food retailers, with orders completed on apps and shipped by delivery staff to consumers. It operates in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Japan, as well as its home market. In suburban Singapore it has opened a technology-run physical retail store listed this month as one of the world’s ‘must-see’ stores.

    Honestbee’s dire predicament is the result of high marketing costs faced by most online startups in Asia: building critical mass takes massive investment in digital marketing, discounting and – especially in the case of delivery apps – recruitment.

    We have been shown financials for the company from last December which showed revenue of S$2.5 million (US$1.8 million) and a loss of $6.5 million on transactions totalling $12.5 million.

    About 80 per cent of the company’s revenue comes from Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines.

    Honestbee issued a statement earlier this month attempting to put a positive spin on its perils, saying the decision to “temporarily” suspend its food verticals in Hong Kong and Thailand followed a strategic review of the company’s business, so it could “simplify what we do and how we do it to better meet what our consumers want”.

    The company said 6 per cent of its global staff would be laid off.

    “The status of Honestbee in the remaining markets remain unchanged as we evaluate and we will continue to operate and contribute to Honestbee Pte Ltd.”

    In addition to the layoffs announced, senior management have already left the company in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

  • Homewares Influenced by SPA and Wellness Concepts

    Homewares Influenced by SPA and Wellness Concepts

    The concept of wellness will increasingly be incorporated into houseware and home designs, predicts consumer market analytics firm WGSN. Speaking at the 34th HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the 10th HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair, WGSN Mindset trends specialist Charlie Clark looked at the design concepts, colours and macro directions that will define homeware collections for spring/summer 2020.

    She explained how “sensorial wellness” – the concept of wellness embracing living as well as mental and physical health – is increasingly at the forefront of consumers’ minds and will become a theme in upcoming houseware designs.

    According to Clark, there will be a greater emphasis on the way textures and colours are used to affect our mood, and how the arrangements of spaces and products can make us feel energised or calm.

    Clark highlighted four design trends that have emerged out of this wellness theme, with corresponding zones set up at the Houseware Fair so that visitors could experience how these concepts can be applied to product designs.

    The trends include “Primitive Future”, a tendency toward sensorial simplicity in a blend of high-tech and organic lifestyles; “Hyper Room”, underscoring a mysterious and sometimes moody sense of the future; “Playful Plush”, blending culture with global influences; and “Harmony Lab”, emphasising wellness in the relationship between humans and technology.

    The fairs ran from April 20 to 23 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Some 2500 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions were featured at the fairs to showcase the latest houseware and home textiles collections to global buyers. The two four-day fairs welcomed close to 47,000 buyers from 121 countries and regions.

  • Official Online Nintendo Store Opens Doors in Hong Kong

    Official Online Nintendo Store Opens Doors in Hong Kong

    An official Nintendo Hong Kong online store has opened this week.

    The new storefront eplaces a former Nintendo page that offered download codes which could be redeemed on WhatsMall.

    Now fans of the Japanese game platform can buy software online direct from the manufacturer.

    The Nintendo Hong Kong e-commerce site offers download codes for a range of Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS games along with DLC, reports fansite NintendoSoup.

    The site features multiple languages as well, along with Chinese: American and UK English, Canadian French, French, Latin America Spanish and Spanish.

  • Asia’s Leading Food & Hospitality Tradeshow HOFEX returns to Hong Kong 7-10 May

    Asia’s Leading Food & Hospitality Tradeshow HOFEX returns to Hong Kong 7-10 May

    HOFEX, Asia’s Leading Food & Hospitality Tradeshow will return to Hong Kong for its biggest year yet 7-10 May at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), where the biennial show will occupy almost every available exhibition space. Expecting more than 2,800 international exhibitors and 42,000+ trade buyers, HOFEX 2019 will cement its position as the region’s largest and most important meeting place for the hospitality industry. Occupying an exhibition space of over 70,000 m2 across 3 levels of HKCEC, trade visitors will be able to sample and source everything for the food and hotel industry. The show’s opening ceremony, which will take place on 7 May 2019 will be attended by The Honourable Paul CHAN Mo-po, GBM, GBS, MH, JP Financial Secretary, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. HOFEX is organised by UBM Asia and is co-located with ProWine Asia and Retail Asia Conference & Expo.

    74 exhibiting countries and regions and 48 national and regional groups and pavilions make the 2019 edition of HOFEX the most international year yet. In addition to long-supporting exhibitors including Japan, Australia, UK, USA, Germany, Austria and Spain, this year will welcome newcomers AANA – Agence de l’Alimentation Nouvelle-Aquitaine France, AREI Latvia, Association PorkColumbia, British Columbia, Ministry of Agriculture Czech Republic, Spanish Beef, VLAM Belgium and more. 

    Prolific business opportunities 
    This year’s tradeshow has been strategically organised to optimise buyers’ experiences with the aim of maximising networking potential across the vast space.

    Hall 1 will house Bakery & Confectionery @ HOFEX, where global and local manufacturers can meet with buyers from the ever-growing Asia-Pacific bread, cakes, pastries and confectionery markets; Bean2Cup @ HOFEX, where baristas, café owners, coffee producers and suppliers will find everything from coffee beans to espresso machines; Foodservice Equipment & Catering Supplies, where state-of-the-art international catering equipment will be showcased; and Tableware & Hospitality SuppliesHospitality Technology and Hospitality Design, where hospitality professionals from restaurants, resorts, hotels, spas and more will find ideas and inspiration to build  a more streamlined business – from manufacturing and production to packaging, design and facilities.

    Food and Drinks is in Hall 3 & 5 where visitors can enjoy local as well as exotic offerings from the many international pavilions, ranging from frozen and chilled seafood to cured and fresh meat, snacks and beverages, baked goods, confectionery, ice cream, canned foods and more; co-located show ProWine Asia, the region’s leading wine and spirits trade fair showcasing premium wine, beers, professional wine equipment and accessories from around the world; and Meat @ HOFEX, dedicated to the surging demand for prime meats across APAC and featuring the world’s leading meat purveyors from Colombia, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, the UK and more. Meat @ HOFEX will also be home to a new star of the show, HOFEX’ first food truck, sponsored by the Butcher’s Club. This mobile kitchen will roam the exhibition floor preparing and delivering meat from the Butchery Skills Challenge to visitors adjacent to Beer Street, serving up a match made in heaven.

    Hall 5 will house the co-located Retail Asia Conference & Expo (RACE). Presenting the latest catering and hospitality innovations, retail technologies and solutions including everything from floor-cleaning robots with 3D cameras to revolutionary Point of Sale systems and internet retailing. RACE provides trade professionals at HOFEX with an unrivalled opportunity to enhance operational performance. 

    On-site Events – Hong Kong International Culinary Classic and Mixed Barista Arts

    The culinary heart of the fair, the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic (HKICC) will see over 900 chefs, cooks, pastry chefs and apprentices from across the globe hone their culinary skills at this esteemed competition. This year, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited will be the Platinum Sponsor of the event, showcasing its latest ‘All-Electric Kitchen’ concept. Endorsed by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS), the competitions include a Live Afternoon Tea Set Competition, the Gourmet Team Challenge and for the first time a Gelato competition sponsored by Bonny Foodservice Products, which provides a unique chance to mingle with the world’s best Gelato makers. The HKICC is also home to the impressive Butchery Skills Challenge sponsored by Sutherlands Gastronomy, where international teams of talented butchers will show off their passion, precision and power in a bid to be the best.

    Meanwhile, baristas from across the region will battle it out during the popular Mixed Barista Arts. Taking on a brand-new competition format this year, the 4-in-1 challenge will be comprised of 4-barista arts, namely single origin coffee knowledge and tasting ability, grinder skills and knowledge, latte art and ability to work as a team.

     “This is the 32nd year we are hosting HOFEX and we are proud to say that 2019 will be bigger and better than ever”, says Mr. Daniel Cheung, General Manager of UBM Asia. “For four days, the HKCEC will once again be transformed into a launchpad for new products and brands, a platform for like-minded professionals to connect and do business as well as providing an unmatched opportunity to gather industry knowledge.” 

    HOFEX is organised by UBM Asia, the largest tradeshow organiser in Asia with over 290 events, combining local expertise with a global industry network to provide high-quality events and the best customer experience for event attendees from all over the world. 

    Pre-registration for HOFEX 2019 is now open until 18 April on the website. Walk-ins are available on-site, and visitors may register and pick up a pass outside Hall 1. The show is open to trade professionals and media only and visitors must be aged 18 or above. Pre-registration passes include a complimentary 4-day show admission badge to HOFEX, ProWine Asia and Retail Asia Conference & Expo, as well as an electronic Advance Buyer’s Guide and access to the tradeshow’s complimentary business matching services.

  • Chris Pratt and Tumi centrestage at Pacific Place

    Chris Pratt and Tumi centrestage at Pacific Place

    Travel, business and lifestyle accessories brand Tumi will introduce its new campaign for Asia Pacific & Middle East starring Hollywood actor Chris Pratt at Tumi Loft Pacific Place.

    Chris Pratt and Tumi will launch their new collaboration in the region at Pacific Place in Hong Kong on April 30. It will be his first appearance with Tumi Asia Pacific & Middle East, described as “an immersive Tumi brand experience”.

    The new campaign will be unveiled at the event, which includes a journey film documenting preparations for his trip to Hong Kong.

    At the Loft, Pratt will also debut his virtual avatar on the new Tumi Club App. Guests will be able to download the app and use the new augmented reality feature to take virtual selfies with a lifelike Chris Pratt avatar at the Loft. In addition, Tumi Loft guests can use the technology to trigger a special Chris Pratt avatar animation by scanning his poster at the Tumi Loft Pacific Place entrance.

    “I’m blessed to have a job that allows me to travel so much,” said Pratt. “I’ve always trusted Tumi as my go-to luggage on my various trips around the world. I only ever promote products I actually use in real life. This makes Tumi a great fit. Tumi products are sleek, stylish, built to last and have long been my choice for luggage. I look forward to visiting Hong Kong for the first time to launch this special partnership with Tumi Asia and Middle East.”

    “We are thrilled to have Chris Pratt star in our newest campaign for Asia Pacific and Middle East with the iconic Alpha 3 and Alpha Bravo collections,” said creative director Victor Sanz of the Chris Pratt and Tumi partnership. “To us at Tumi, Chris represents a new age of leading men in Hollywood – bold and genuine. Combined with his international appeal, Chris’s personality truly speaks to our growing millennial fanbase.”

  • New Luk Fook store opens in Vancouver

    New Luk Fook store opens in Vancouver

    Luk Fook Canada has opened a new shop in CF Richmond Centre in Metro Vancouver.

    The new store is the first Oriental jewellery shop in the mall.

    “Adhering to the corporate vision of ‘Brand of Hong Kong, Sparkling the World’, the group has been actively expanding our retail network into the overseas market for new business opportunities as well as provision of superior products and after-sales services to our Chinese customers around the world,” said chairman and CEO of the group Wong Wai Sheung.

    At present, the group has more than 1820 shops in 10 countries and regions, where its footprint covers Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, the US, Canada and Australia.

    “We open a new shop at CF Richmond Center, Canada with the objective of expanding our customer base while bringing premier shopping experience to our Chinese customers around the globe,” added Wong. “Looking ahead, we will continue to stay enthusiastic to shape us to be the preferred jewellery brand for customers anywhere.”

    The group set its foothold in North America in 2003. Luk Fook Canada opened retail shops in Toronto and Vancouver, which each have a significant Chinese population. The city of Richmond has the largest Chinese population in Canada, and the CF Richmond Centre is considered a shopping hotspot for local and touring Chinese.

  • China Mobile Hong Kong moves 5G innovation center

    China Mobile Hong Kong moves 5G innovation center

    China Mobile Hong Kong has relocated its 5G innovation center – known as the Hong Kong Open Lab – to Hong Kong Science Park.

    The relocation is aimed at accelerating the development of Hong Kong’s 5G ecosystem and catering to the needs of local business partners.

    China Mobile first founded its 5G innovation center in Kwai Chung in 2016, and opened the center in March last year.

    The new Hong Kong open lab will provide a larger space to allow the company to develop a 5G network environment and larger co-working space for local partners to trial 5G network applications and conuct 5G research and development.

    China Mobile will also use the relocated lab to continue its 5G+ Project aimed at complementing Hong Kong’s existing 4G networks with 5G infrastructure, and to promote the adoption of various applications for 5G technology.

    To mark the relocation, China Mobile Hong Kong showcased various 5G applications including an autonomous vehicle, an intelligent robot controlled over 5G in real time, drone technology, and live streaming of high-resolution photos and video.

    “We are very excited for the expansion and relocation of the China Mobile 5G Innovation Centre and Hong Kong Open Lab to the Hong Kong Science Park, and for the opportunity to join the local innovation and technology ecosystem in there to further develop 5G mobile service applications and carry out the 5G+ Project,” China Mobile Hong Kong director and CEO Sean Lee said.

    “We will continue to complement the existing 4G network with 5G infrastructure, to promote 5G technologies along with new communication technologies — for example, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud, Big Data and Edge Computing — to develop comprehensive 5G ecosystems in accomplishing the digitalization of lives for Hong Kong citizens and to enter the new era of 5G together.”

  • First Aid, Delivered: Deliveroo Provides Riders With Red Cross First Aid Training

    First Aid, Delivered: Deliveroo Provides Riders With Red Cross First Aid Training

    Deliveroo riders are well loved in Hong Kong for delivering great food direct to people’s doors, and now many riders and walkers will also have the skills to deliver first aid to members of the public in an emergency – thanks to first aid training rolled out by the leading food delivery platform in April.

    Deliveroo will provide over 150 riders in Hong Kong with access to 13 first aid training classes. Administered by the Hong Kong Red Cross. The courses will equip Deliveroo riders and walkers with life-saving skills that can benefit the Hong Kong community in which they live and work. Participants in the training sessions will gain skills and confidence in dealing with emergencies, including scenarios such as finding someone unresponsive, badly injured or unable to breathe. cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction and an introduction to automated external defibrillators will also be provided.

    Brian Lo, General Manager of Deliveroo Hong Kong, said, “I’m proud of our riders in Hong Kong for consistently going above and beyond in bringing the best food from local restaurants direct to hungry diners. Our riders are a force for good, and we hope that through this initiative, Deliveroo can help tackle the problem of people not receiving life-saving first aid in advance of emergency services getting to the scene. We’re delighted to equip riders with first aid skills and knowledge that will serve them in life, in their careers, and for the good of Hong Kong.”

    The training programme in Hong Kong is part of a global initiative from Deliveroo, which will see a total of 3,000 riders receive first aid courses. The first aid initiative was created after research commissioned by the British Red Cross in January 2018 showed that just 5% of adults in Britain have the skills and confidence to provide first aid in emergency situations.

    In Hong Kong, various groups including The University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Medical Journal have found evidence that the public lacks first aid knowledge and skills, which affects their willingness to offer assistance in an emergency situation. However, the research also shows that when training courses are provided, there is significant improvement in people’s willingness to provide first aid.

    Mr. LEUNG Yiu-wah, Chairman of First Aid Advisory Panel, Hong Kong Red Cross said, “First aid is an extremely valuable skill, enabling you to provide assistance in a crisis or time of need. While many people may feel unqualified to provide help in an emergency situation, having a knowledge of first aid means you can make simple yet impactful interventions. We encourage everyone in Hong Kong to enhance their own first aid education.”

    Chun-ming, a 25 year old rider with Deliveroo in Hong Kong, said, “Being a Deliveroo rider puts me in all corners of Hong Kong, at all times of the day. You never know what’s going to happen, so I think it’s quite useful to have an understanding of how to help out if I do come across a medical emergency involving members of the public. Hong Kong is my home, and as a member of the Hong Kong community, I’m proud to be able to enroll in this first aid course and potentially make a difference for others.”

    The first aid training programme for riders comes off the back of other recent Deliveroo initiatives in support of the Hong Kong community. In February, Deliveroo collaborated with St. James’ Settlement and restaurant partner LAO ER by Crystal Jade to host a festive Chinese New Year tea gathering event for elderly people in Hong Kong who live alone. Deliveroo also offered 100 free meals to domestic helpers last December, as a holiday treat to recognise their valuable role for families in Hong Kong.