Hong Kong’s first-store appeal grows as more Japanese, South Korean and Thai brands arrive
Japanese, South Korean and Thai brands have increased their share of new entrants in Hong Kong’s retail property market by 7 percentage points to more than one-third in the first nine months of 2026, while the demand for shops from mainland Chinese brands has slipped, according to Cushman & Wakefield. A slew of new brands helped lift the combined share of Japanese, South Korean and Thai brands to…
In the first nine months of 2026, the number of Japanese, South Korean and Thai brands entering Hong Kong's retail property market has surged by 7 percentage points to over one-third. This growth comes as demand for shops from mainland Chinese brands has decreased, according to Cushman & Wakefield. This trend has reached a three-year high, with these Asian brands now accounting for 36% of newcomers this year, up from 29% in 2025.
New arrivals include Japanese fashion brand Cullni in Wan Chai, second-hand goods retailer Ragtag in Hysan Place, and South Korean footwear brand Khiho in Tsim Sha Tsui, among others. John Siu, managing director for Hong Kong at Cushman & Wakefield, predicts the market will continue to welcome more overseas brands as they test and refine their local business models.
The recovery in regional tourism, driven by an influx of mainland Chinese and international tourists, has also contributed to Hong Kong's appeal for brands seeking to increase visibility among consumers and tourists. Lower retail rents, averaging 50% lower than their 2019 peaks, further support the city's attractiveness as a strategic platform for brand expansion in Greater China and other Asian markets.
Written by urgent.news from SCMP Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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