Obviously I don’t leave town much, so it came as quite a surprise to discover a mini-Muji store in the departure hall of the Hong Kong International Airport recently. Muji, the Japanese retailer, is famous for their high-quality, minimalist goods. Their selections are wide, ranging from clothing and stationary, to household items and snacks. My first impression was to write it off as an over-aggressive expansion. What are they doing opening up a shop at the airport? (more…)

I’ve known about Loading since it opened up a few months ago, but I didn’t make it over until they held a special live painting event featuring Swedish graffiti artist Anna Fredriksson. (more…)

If you’re a regular reader of Hong Kong Hustle you know that I’ve written about the city’s mini-malls regularly. I’ve explained the logic behind them due to Hong Kong’s exorbitant rents and the scarcity of land. I explained how they’re useful for new designers who can’t afford premium ground floor locations. I’ve also talked about a recent resurgence in the shopping centers and the trend to convert semi-profitable large spaces (such as cinemas) into compartmentalized mini-malls. Well, it’s recently gone one step further. (more…)

I was cutting through Sharp Street in back of Times Square last night when I saw a bright wall decorating an area under construction. The temporary facade featured scores of colorfully animated characters including the iconic Julius the monkey. The words at the top said “Stick around to find out where Julius and Friends sail off to next.” Below it noted simply “the paul frank store.” Hong Kong’s been waiting for this! (more…)

In Japan you can find all sorts of things for sale in vending machines. Since I’ve lived in Hong Kong however, I’ve never seen an explosion of this sort of retailing in the city. So it came as a surprise to encounter a lonely looking vending machine while walking through Silvercord shopping center last week. (more…)

My first experience with MegaBox was a mad dash during rush hour to catch a film playing in the shopping center’s IMAX theater. I was so excited to make it in time for the movie (and get seats) that I didn’t have much of an opportunity to explore. Since my friend felt sick after the film - yeah the 3D was THAT good - I had to go straight home afterwards. I made a mental note to return and spend more time looking around. Recently I had a chance to go back and take a few photos.

Because I’m slightly different from normal people, I walked to MegaBox from APM, another relatively new shopping center in Kwun Tong on Kowloon’s Eastern side. The area between the two shopping centers is basically a no-man’s land without much in the way of scenery or sidewalks! Lots of old industrial buildings make up the barren stretch of Kowloon Bay where the complex is located.

MegaBox with its bright, shining lights and multi-colored facade stands out like an oasis. A central design factor that adds to the visibility is the massive eight-story see-through porthole that lets you check out the mall’s interior from blocks away. But what exactly does MegaBox offer? (more…)

Thursday night was the grand opening of the Delay No Mall in Causeway Bay. The event also featured the album release and mini-concert of the local group 24 Herbs. Packed with trend-setters of all different stripes, the night was an important step in introducing the new shopping center. (more…)

The new Delay No Mall managed by Hong Kong retailer G.O.D. opened its doors to shoppers late last week. It seems like the place is opening in stages, which is essential, since the week before Christmas is high shopping season. By bringing together an interesting portfolio of brands, some found nowhere else in the city, Delay No Mall is looking to become a new shopping destination in store-saturated Causeway Bay. (more…)

LCX held a big event last Saturday for their expansion into Causeway Bay. This is their second location, the first being in Harbour City / Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. LCX is sort of like a mall within a mall. It’s a collection of trendy youth-oriented brands clustered together. They sell mid-range to high end designer fashion, cosmetics and lifestyle products. The strategy behind LCX is smart - once your target consumer is at one boutique, chances are they will also browse another shop intended for the same demographic. So, how do you get busy Hong Kong shoppers to know about your new store? (more…)

In stark contrast to the majority of new shopping centers which seem to have an absence of local culture, the new Delay No More Mall located in Causeway Bay takes exactly the opposite approach. A quick look at the exterior of the retail space appears calculated to broadcast Hong Kong culture and style.

This departure from the norm is in line with the strategy of the G.O.D. brand who is the organizer of the new shopping center. G.O.D. currently operates several shops that retail a range of household products and clothing bearing signatures of life in the city. Everything from their pajamas emblazoned with old Hong Kong buildings, to their notorious play-on-word t-shirts, contain elements of the city’s colorful (and sometimes profane,) local traditions. (more…)