Hong Kong is a place for both domestic and foreign shopping experiences. Before shopping there, you should know what you want to shop for in Hong Kong, as some items are more popular in certain seasons or months.
And even if you don’t know what you want to buy, you can browse through the numerous shopping malls and markets in Hong Kong. Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect from shopping in Hong Kong.
Overview
Hong Kong’s shopping malls are easy to reach and stay open late at night during weekends and holidays. A dozen independent stores are also known for their quirky designs.
Hong Kong’s shopping centers have their own distinct characteristics. One of these is the Central, which is super smart with its concierges, who are on call to help find the best locations to eat or shop. Another is the Citygate Outlet, which is right by the airport and works on the old saying that “pile them up and sell them for cheap.” Times Square, a massive building that pays homage to retail, has inspired a number of new shops and restaurants.
The construction of the Mass Transit Railway in Hong Kong has been one of the most significant events in the city’s history. Over the years, the elevated stations of the system have been transformed into shopping centers. This is a fitting metaphor for the city’s culture and identity.
Shopping History in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has been a popular shopping destination for over 150 years. In 1841, the British government established a trading post at Hong Kong Island to capitalize on China’s growing need for opium. From this colony, British traders set up supply networks throughout Southeast Asia, and by the 1950s, Hong Kong had become an important base of operations for their traders.
As Hong Kong developed into one of the most affluent cities in Asia and beyond, it became known as a shopping paradise.
Hong Kong is a major hub for the global fashion industry, and its residents are some of the most fashionable people in the world. Hong Kong has a long history of importing luxury goods from Europe and Japan and selling them at inflated prices to wealthy clients around Asia. When China established control over Hong Kong in 1997, it also brought with it economic reforms that opened up trade to foreigners for the first time in decades.
Shopping Centers
Hong Kong has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, and shopping is no exception. Fortunately, if you’re coming to Hong Kong with a limited budget, there are plenty of shopping centers to choose from—and they come in all different shapes and sizes.
Shopping centers are generally more spacious than indoor malls, which means fewer crowds! If you’re looking for something a little fancier than your standard department store or mall fare, check out Repulse Bay Road for high-end boutiques or take an elevator up to the upper floors of Jardines Bazaar for international brands at reasonable prices. Meanwhile, here are our top 10 recommendations for the best shopping centers in the city.
#10 Citygate Outlets
Right next to the Tung Chung MTR station is Citygate Outlet, which has international brands such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Nike, and Laura Ashley. The choice and prices are also excellent.
The 10th floor features various shops that are dedicated to accessories and shoes. Some of the popular brands include Le Saunda and Crocs. The mall also has a small cinema and a plaza with fountains that attract large groups of people. The outlets are popular with tour groups coming from China.
#9 Langham Place
The Langham Place is a mixed-use complex consisting of an office tower, a hotel, and a shopping mall. It’s located near the Mong Kok MTR station. This mall is easy to reach and has a variety of shops and a six-screen cinema. Some of the international brands that are known to operate in this area include Levi’s, A&X Armani Exchange, and United Colors of Benettons.
Try some of the many restaurants in Langham, such as DeliFrance, Curry in a-Hurry, or one of thirty other establishments. When it was first opened, the area was surrounded by tenements. Over the years, various shops and stores have been constructed around the area, which serves as a continuation of the upscale shopping experience that Langham has.
#8 Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa
The complex is known mainly for its restaurants, which feature a wide variety of cuisines and varying levels of service. One of its most notable features is the large video arcade and a department store inside a ship-shaped building. Each building has its own distinct personality.
This area’s shopping and dining options are concentrated in the various building complexes known as Screen World, Homeworld, Fashion World, and Treasures World. There are also several cinemas, education centers, and kindergartens within the complex. The area is not connected to the nearest MTR station, so taking a taxi is the best bet.
#7 Harbour City
Harbour City is Hong Kong’s largest shopping mall. It features several thematic zones. The main one is Ocean Terminal, which has a variety of high-fashion stores, such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Dolce & Gabbana. The Gateway Arcade and Ocean Centre also have multiple high-fashion shops.
The fourth zone of the Marco Polo Hotel features a Lane Crawford store and several cinemas. The mall has around 700 shops and 50 restaurants. It’s located near Hong Kong’s cruise terminal.
#6 Cityplaza
The Cityplaza is located above the Tai Koo MTR station. Its main anchors are Marks & Spencer, Wing On, and Toys R Us. These stores are known for their knowledgeable and helpful staff members. There are also plenty of international brands and designer shops in the mall.
There are over 30 restaurants in the mall, and the ice skating rink is one of the most popular attractions.
#5 Festival Walk
Due to the competition in Hong Kong, the various extras that are included in a mall are often different from those found in other malls. For instance, Festival Walk has an 11-screen cinema and an ice skating rink.
Festival Walk is a large shopping center that features over 200 stores, such as Christian Dior, Hugo Boss, Aquascutum, Marks & Spencer, and more. It is located in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong. The center is popular among local residents.
#4 Times Square
The two towers of Times Square are composed of over 83,613 square meters of retail space and over 92,903 square meters of office space. You can find the latest fashion at Coach, Charles Jourdan, Kooka, Anna Sui, Max Mara, and more.
Check out the offerings at the big department stores such as Marks & Spencer and Lane Crawford. You can also find tennis shoes from Nike, New Balance, and Puma. For a treat, try an ice cream cone from Ben & Jerry’s or a drink from Water Margin.
#3 IFC Mall
Hong Kong is known for its shopping. There are plenty of outlets, malls, and boutique locations all around the city. But the area that has the edge is its selection of designer stores. Some of the most prominent brands that you can find here include A&X Armani Exchange, Burberry, Kate & Co, and Givenchy.
There are a variety of dining options in Hong Kong, including Isola, Pret-a-Manger, Lei Garden, and Inagiku. There’s also a cinema and a station that connects to the airport. One of the most popular places in the city is the Apple store, which is usually packed with fans at night.
#2 Pacific Place
The complex, which is located on about 2.6 hectares of land, has over 500,000 square meters of retail and commercial space. Some of the prominent anchor stores include Seibu and Lane Crawford. There are also multiple designer shops, such as those by brands such as Burberry, Manolo Blahnik, Escada, Jean Paul Gaultier, Kate Spade, and more.
There are also some of the world’s most prominent jewelry brands, such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Piaget. Pacific Place is located near Hong Kong Park and the Admiralty MTR station.
#1 Landmark
This shopping center is located near the Mandarin Oriental’s landmark hotel. It features a wide range of fashion shops. Some of the prominent international brands that you’ll find here include: Gucci, Eloquii, and Narciso Rodriguez.
The area’s restaurants are more upscale. The Landmark is connected to other shopping complexes such as Chater House, Alexandra House, and Prince’s Building. It’s also near the Central MTR station. It’s easy to spend a day here without stopping at the same shop twice.
Specialty Local Stores
Hong Kong has a lot of local specialty stores. These are places where you can buy products that are not available in other areas. They serve a specific purpose and have been around for a long time.
Hong Kong’s most famous speciality store is Wing On Department Store, which is located in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island. This store was built in 1913 by the Wing On family, who came from Shanghai and opened this first branch here. It still uses traditional Chinese skills to make its products today! Here are the other specialty local stores you can visit when in Hong Kong:
1. Arome Bakery
Arome Bakery is an artisanal bakery that specializes in fresh, handmade goods. Located in the heart of downtown, this cozy shop offers a wide selection of freshly baked breads, pastries, and cakes. The ingredients are locally sourced, and the recipes are crafted with care and skill. Whether you’re looking for a classic croissant or a unique specialty item like a lemon-lavender pound cake, Arome Bakery has something for everyone. Stop by today and treat yourself to something special!
2. Cheap Lab
In 2014, Cheap Lab was founded in Hong Kong. It is a retailer of household goods and stationery. As of 2018, it has 10 stores in the city.
So Hiu-fan, the company’s founder, opened the company’s first store in 2014 in the Apple Mall’s Sham Shui Po branch. It was located in a 40-square-foot area. After she separated from her husband, she leased the space for about HK$3,000 a month. The store mainly sells low-cost jewelry and stationery, which were purchased from China’s mainland.
In 2017, the company expanded its operations by leasing 10 shop spaces in Apple Mall. It was renamed Cheap Lab. The store now has a total area of about 300 to 400 square feet.
The company’s second location was opened at Cheung Sha Wan Road, in Sham Shui Po. It was able to attract more customers due to its location. It also expanded its product offerings by adding more categories of household goods and stationery.
So Hiu-fan met Law Ka-cheung in 2016. He was the son of a stationery wholesaler, Tung Fong Stationery Co., which had been operating for 30 years. Through his involvement with Cheap Lab, Law was able to introduce new sources of products for the company, such as directly importing goods from a Korean manufacturer and bypassing wholesalers.
In 2016, the company opened six more stores. It currently operates ten locations in the city of Hong Kong.
3. citysuper
In Taiwan and Hong Kong, City Super Limited is a retail chain that operates as a mega lifestyle store. The company’s core business is to provide its customers with a wide range of products, including groceries, stationery, cosmetics, and fashion accessories. It also operates a separate e-commerce platform called “LOGON”.
The company also operates a food court business known as cookedDeli. city’super is focused on providing premium imported groceries and specialist products to customers in Greater China. It has 23 stores in Hong Kong and 10 in Shanghai, while eight are in Taiwan.
4. The Commercial Press
The Commercial Press is a modern publishing company in China. It’s the first organization of its kind to operate in the country.
The Commercial Press was founded in 1897 by four Protestant Christians, including the Bao brothers. They were all trained at a religious institution known as the American Presbyterian mission press. After receiving financial backing, the company started publishing books.
Xia tried to purchase a Japanese company that had a financial stake in The Commercial Press in 1914. Four days later, he was killed. There was a lot of speculation about who was responsible for his death, but no one was ever arrested.
After China started implementing a new curriculum in 1903, Zhang Yuanji created a variety of translation and textbook series. He also launched various popular publications such as the Dongfang dazhi, The Chinese Education Journal, Xiaoshuo Zazhi, and the Student Magazine.
On January 28, 1932, the Japanese army attacked The Commercial Press’s headquarters in Shanghai. The attack destroyed the company’s entire facility, including its Oriental Library, which had over 500,000 books.
During the early 20th century, The Commercial Press became one of the leading publishers of textbooks in China. Today, it is based in Beijing and is still active in the publishing industry. It publishes various educational materials, such as dictionaries and textbooks.
5. Goods of Desire
The Hong-Kong based lifestyle brand Goods of Desire was founded in 1996 by Benjamin Lau and Douglas Young. It is known for its tongue-in-cheek take on the city’s culture and design. The English version of the brand’s name is “G.O.D.”, which roughly means “to live better”.
In 2019, the company had eight stores in Hong Kong. It also sells its products in various cities such as New York, London, Singapore, Shanghai, and Los Angeles.
6. Giordano International
Founded in 1981, Hong-Kong based retailer Jimmy Lai’s company, which is known for its accessories, men’s and women’s apparel, and shoes, has over 10,000 employees. It has branches in over 30 countries and territories.
Jimmy Lai’s company’s head office is located in the Tin On Industrial building in Cheung Sha Wan, which is about 10 kilometers from Hong Kong.
7. Joint Publishing
Joint Publishing is a unique specialty store that has been a staple in the Hong Kong community for decades. This store offers a wide range of books, magazines, and other literature in both English and Chinese. Customers can find books on topics ranging from current affairs to history, art, and culture. Joint Publishing also carries a selection of books on Hong Kong-specific topics, making it a great place to find information about the city. With its knowledgeable staff and diverse selection of books, Joint Publishing is an essential part of the local shopping experience.
8. Leung So Kee
The Leung So Kee umbrella factory is one of Hong Kong’s most famous retailers and manufacturers.
The story of the company known as “Leung So Kee” dates back to 1885 when it was first established in Guangzhou. It was founded by a man named “Leung So.” His great-grandchild, known as “Leung Man Shing,” currently owns the business.
9. ParknShop
One of the largest supermarkets in Hong Kong is ParknShop, which also operates branches in mainland China and Macau. The company has more than 300 stores in these regions.
The first ParknShop store was opened in 1973 in Stanley, Hong Kong. It remained a local retailer for a decade before expanding to other areas during the 1980s.
The company is a subsidiary of A.S. Watson Group, which is a part of CKH.
10. Sincere Department Store
Sincere Department Store is a Hong Kong institution, renowned for its selection of quality goods and attentive customer service. With over 20 departments, there is something for everyone. From fashion to electronics, you can find it all here. The staff are always friendly and helpful, providing tailored advice and assistance to customers. With its convenient location and competitive prices, Sincere Department Store is the perfect place to find great deals on the products you need!
11. Watsons
Watsons is a one-stop shop for all your beauty and wellness needs! From the latest skincare and makeup trends to health supplements and essential household items, they have it all. Their wide variety of products and services make them a go-to store for locals and tourists alike. They offer a unique shopping experience with helpful staff, great prices, and convenient locations. Whether you’re looking for a new moisturizer, vitamins, or even a quick snack, Watsons has something for everyone. Visit a store today and discover why Watsons is the top choice for specialty local stores in Hong Kong!
12. Wellcome
Wellcome is a grocery chain in Hong Kong that specializes in providing quality, locally sourced products. With over 100 stores across the city, Wellcome is the go-to destination for fresh, seasonal produce, artisanal snacks, and specialty items. From unique snacks to hard-to-find ingredients, Wellcome has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or planning a special meal, Wellcome has you covered. With an emphasis on local sourcing, you can be sure that the products you purchase are of the highest quality. Stop by Wellcome today and experience the best of what Hong Kong has to offer!
13. Wing On
Wing On is a specialty local store in Hong Kong that is renowned for its unique selection of goods. From traditional Chinese herbs to modern beauty products, this store has it all! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and they are always happy to help customers find what they’re looking for. With its convenient location and wide range of products, Wing On is the perfect place to find something special for yourself or a loved one. Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir or a must-have item, Wing On is the place to go!
14. Yu Kee Food
Yu Kee Food is a specialty local store in Hong Kong that specializes in traditional Chinese snacks, ingredients, and products. With its unique selection of items, Yu Kee Food is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the flavors of Hong Kong. The store offers an assortment of traditional Chinese snacks such as mooncakes, dim sum, and buns, as well as a variety of ingredients and products such as sauces, spices, and teas. With its bold flavors and unique selection, Yu Kee Food is the perfect place to experience the culture and tastes of Hong Kong.
5 Tips when Shopping in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a place for both domestic and foreign shopping experiences. You should know what you want to shop for in Hong Kong. Knowing the price range you are willing to pay before shopping is also a good idea to avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous merchants.
You’ll find everything from cheap souvenirs to high-end boutiques in Hong Kong, but these places may not be easy to find if you’re new. You should research the different stores and locations before heading out on your trip so that you don’t waste time looking for them later on your trip or end up buying something at random without knowing its value or quality. Here are our top five (5) tips when shopping in Hong Kong:
1. Explore the local markets: Hong Kong is renowned for its bustling markets and is a great place to find unique items. From electronics to fashion and more, you can find almost anything in the markets of Hong Kong.
2. Do your research: Before heading out shopping, it pays to do a bit of research. Check out reviews of shops and read up on the best items to buy. This will help you get the most bang for your buck.
3. Learn to haggle: Haggling is an essential part of shopping in Hong Kong, so don’t be afraid to try to get the best deal possible.
4. Take time to explore: As well as shopping for goods, take time to explore the area. From street food to traditional markets, there is a lot to see and experience.
5. Don’t forget to bargain: Bargaining is a must in Hong Kong, so don’t forget to ask for discounts and try to get the best deal possible. Always remember to be polite and friendly when bargaining, as it will help you get the best deal.
Hong Kong is a place for both domestic and foreign shopping experiences. You should know what you want to shop for in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is a place for both domestic and foreign shopping experiences. You should know what you want to shop for in Hong Kong.
- If you are looking for local products, you can go to Temple Street Market, which has lots of stalls selling traditional Chinese goods such as clothes, jewellery, and accessories. This market is located near Jordan MTR Station on Nathan Road (one of the main streets in Mongkok).
- If you are interested in designer brands or luxury items like Chanel bags or Rolex watches, we would recommend visiting IFC Mall because there are many luxury stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada etc., where there will be high-quality service provided by professional staff. Those high-quality products also come at higher prices!
Final Thoughts
Shopping in Hong Kong is a great experience. There are so many shops to explore, and new things are always being introduced in this city. After reading this blog post, we hope you will be more enthusiastic about visiting Hong Kong and shopping there!
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