Selected Shops: Innovation Of Hongkong's Retail Industry

It's strange to choose a city in Hongkong where many traditional shopping centers occupy a dominant position in retailing. But even with these disadvantages, Hongkong's niche retail market is booming and has extended its model to other parts of Asia.

This innovation is known by some retailers as selected retail stores, which promote independent brands worldwide.

Kapok is one of the best examples of the new trend of fashion and design retailing in Hongkong and even the world. Arnaud Castle, founder, said: "I like the term" select shop ".

Castle said: "selected shops are targeted at a group of people with specific aesthetic and philosophical concepts. They choose the right products to fit this idea and add their own personal styles, including clothing, accessories and even food."

The innovative shopping center like PMQ yuan Chuang Fang, recently opened, aims to achieve this goal. Among them, the Sifang street, the single eyeglasses shop, and the men's goods store made up of Monaco guild hall, daydream country and two Russell Street boutiques, show the development of selected shops in Hongkong in recent years.

Kapok, founded in 2006, has achieved rapid development in the past two years, and is also rapidly expanding its retail footprint.

Castle said, "we have 5 stores in Hongkong, and we are going to open sixth houses in PMQ yuan Chuang Fang. The attitude of Hongkong consumers to luxury is changing, and people are more willing to explore the smaller brands, and the development of the Kapok is benefiting from this. "

"The reason I started Kapok was because I was tired of shopping malls and big brands. I am not the only one who has such an idea. Many people think so," he said. "Carefully observing the luxury industry, on the scale, it is not a real luxury at all. Although it still has high prices, it still faces the mass market and lacks uniqueness. The real luxury should be the luxury and discovery of information. extravagant Only a few people know the luxury of a specific brand secret.

　　 Castle Today, people have their own ideas about fashion and design. They want to define themselves in a different way.

Konzepp is another store in Hongkong that has already resonated with the locals, and is now introducing its model to other Asian capitals. Xu Junjun, co-founder, said: "this is why we always ask" what is your Konzepp "? This is the slogan of our store. This problem concerns yourself, not us.

"We think we should break all the rules in retail and do something different." Xu Junjun and Chen Ziqiang, a Hongkong film agent, set up Konzepp to promote the development of local and international design talents, and bid farewell to the traditional profit driven nature of Hongkong's retail industry.

Xu Junjun said his idea of Konzepp was rooted in his frustrating experience as an industrial designer. "My parents are unhappy about this, but I insist on doing so. I say I will do some creative things to promote some creative ideas. I hope every parent in Asia can approve of their children doing something creative. That's all Konzepp. "

Because in the movie industry, Xu Junjun and Chen Ziqiang are always attracted by story brands, which coincides with Castle's viewpoint. Consumers want to have deeper ties with brands.

Be located Hong Kong After the opening of the first store on Sheung Wan East Street, Konzepp opened a new store in the atrium of the landmark Plaza in just 3 months. After 9 months of rapid development, it opened branches in Jakarta and Singapore.

At present, Konzepp is building second stores on East Street, Xu Junjun said. It will be a gallery of illustrators, artists and photographers, which will further expand into the concept of retail in Asia.

Xu Junjun said, "people call us a store, but in my opinion, we are more like a platform and a hub. Profit is not our primary goal."

The rise of multi brand retail is a global phenomenon. These stores include Colette of Paris, Como avenue of Milan and Dover street market in London, which can be adapted to major cities in the world.

"As more and more consumers acquire such information, this trend will continue," Xu Junjun said. I believe that one day people will no longer pursue "dressing like celebrities" but choose "this is my style, my story".