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	<title>Hong Kong Hustle &#187; Shopping</title>
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	<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com</link>
	<description>Hong Kong nightlife, street fashion, culture, and cool</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:18:46 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>The secret spot salons don&#8217;t want you to know about!</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/1410/hong-kong-salon-supply-nail-shop-supplies-hair-care-product-distributor-hk-jordan-road-temple-street-outlet-store/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/1410/hong-kong-salon-supply-nail-shop-supplies-hair-care-product-distributor-hk-jordan-road-temple-street-outlet-store/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:07:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beauty supply]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hair products hong kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hair salon hong kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HK hair care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hong kong beauty supply]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hong kong discount]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong outlets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hong kong sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong salon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jordan Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jordan Road]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nail supply shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salon distributor hong kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salon supplies HK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salon supplies hong kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Temple St Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[temple street]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Temple Street night market]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?p=1410</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You think you&#8217;re saving money buying your hair care products from Sa Sa? Think again. We&#8217;re going to tell you about an area where you can find shampoos, styling products, and even nail supplies at huge discounts. Certain districts in Hong Kong are famous for offering bargains. Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui for example, [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F1410%2Fhong-kong-salon-supply-nail-shop-supplies-hair-care-product-distributor-hk-jordan-road-temple-street-outlet-store&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=hair_salon_product_Hong_Kong_HK.jpg" title="hair salon product Hong Kong HK"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/hair_salon_product_Hong_Kong_HK.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="hair salon product Hong Kong HK" width="450" height="355" /></a></p>
<p>You think you&#8217;re saving money buying your <strong>hair care products</strong> from Sa Sa? Think again. We&#8217;re going to tell you about an area where you can find shampoos, styling products, and even nail supplies at huge discounts.<span id="more-1410"></span></p>
<p>Certain districts in Hong Kong are famous for offering bargains. Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui for example, has a cluster of shops selling discount cosmetics and perfumes. But the prices for hair care products there even seem high compared to the bottom of <strong>Temple Street</strong>.</p>
<p>What you&#8217;ll find on Temple Street, (just before the night market starts,) is a handful of shops that the salons buy their supplies from. The same product you purchase in Central for $176HKD is only $80HKD here. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=nail_hair_supply_distributor_HK.jpg" title="nail hair supply distributor HK"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/nail_hair_supply_distributor_HK.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="nail hair supply distributor HK" width="364" height="446" /></a></p>
<p>There are great savings on styling products, shampoos, treatments and all sorts of accessories. The selection is large with many salon-only brands you won&#8217;t see in Hong Kong&#8217;s beauty and drug store chains. If you can&#8217;t find what you&#8217;re looking for in other shops, chances are they&#8217;ll have it here.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=beauty_supply_hong_kong_HK.jpg" title="beauty supply hong kong HK"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/beauty_supply_hong_kong_HK.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="beauty supply hong kong HK" width="450" height="444" /></a></p>
<p>In addition to the already low listed prices, it&#8217;s possible in some cases to negotiate for even more savings. The cluster of shops are right next to each other, so it makes browsing for the best deal convenient. Why pay full price when you can potentially save over 50%? The places are fun to browse just to see the staggering array of gels, pastes and muds now on the market.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=hair_product_store_shop_Hong_K.jpg" title="hair product store shop Hong K"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/hair_product_store_shop_Hong_K.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="hair product store shop Hong K" width="411" height="446" /></a></p>
<p><em>Getting there</em></p>
<p>The hair-care supply area of Temple Street is easy to get to. Take the MTR to Jordan Station and use Exit A. Once you leave Exit A, take a right, and proceed down Jordan Road for about two blocks until you intersect with Temple Street. Next, take a right on Temple Street, and shortly on your right you will begin to see the salon supply shops. You&#8217;re there! The street address should be around 224 Temple Street. </p>
<p>Worth a visit!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Temple_street_night_market_Hong_K.jpg" title="Temple street night market Hong K"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Temple_street_night_market_Hong_K.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Temple street night market Hong K" width="450" height="312" /></a></p>
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			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/1410/hong-kong-salon-supply-nail-shop-supplies-hair-care-product-distributor-hk-jordan-road-temple-street-outlet-store/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What doomed Delay No Mall?</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/1040/delay-no-mall-hong-kong-causeway-bay-address-hk-shopping-center-lcx-address-god-more/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/1040/delay-no-mall-hong-kong-causeway-bay-address-hk-shopping-center-lcx-address-god-more/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:26:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Causeway Bay Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[causeway Bay shop mall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delay No Mall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delay No Mall address]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delay No Mall Causeway Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delay No Mall CWB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delay No Mall HK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[delay no more]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delay No More mall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[G.O.D. Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong malls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong shopping centers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LCX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[malls in Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shopping Causeway Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shopping in Hong Kong]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?p=1040</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Delay No Mall opened last December, transforming a previously untouched corner of Causeway Bay into a two-story shopping center loaded with personality. Commissioning local artists to create displays, and featuring exclusive brands found only under their roof, the mall was an ambitious undertaking. Fast forward to today, Delay No Mall is closed, the large space [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F1040%2Fdelay-no-mall-hong-kong-causeway-bay-address-hk-shopping-center-lcx-address-god-more&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Delay_No_Mall_DNM.jpg" title="Delay No Mall DNM"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Delay_No_Mall_DNM.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Delay No Mall DNM" width="450" height="328" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Delay No Mall</strong> opened last December, transforming a previously untouched corner of Causeway Bay into a two-story shopping center loaded with personality.</p>
<p>Commissioning local artists to create displays, and featuring exclusive brands found only under their roof, the mall was an ambitious undertaking. Fast forward to today, Delay No Mall is closed, the large space being subdivided and re-purposed. What happened?<span id="more-1040"></span> </p>
<p>According to their website, Delay No Mall isn&#8217;t finished, it&#8217;s just getting a remix. The notice currently states &#8220;The MALL is looking at an exciting change of CONCEPT to FOOD and BEVERAGE.&#8221;</p>
<p>Delay No Mall opened with a bang. In the early days they hosted several interesting events including the <a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/parties/330/delay-no-mall-24-herbs/">24 Herbs CD launch</a> and the <a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/art-design/431/eric-haze-art-exhibit-full-circle/">Eric Haze show</a>. Compared to say, the Causeway Bay LCX, which opened around the same time, it clearly had a style and direction.</p>
<p>Created by the founders of the G.O.D. lifestyle stores, Delay No Mall tapped local artists and came up with creative videos announcing their launch. The shopping center itself featured interesting touches such as a wrap-around cinema-style marquee, and even Pac Man tiled bathrooms! </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=DNM_address_Hong_K.jpg" title="DNM address Hong K"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/DNM_address_Hong_K.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="DNM address Hong K" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Delay_No_Mall_restaurant.jpg" title="Delay No Mall restaurant"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Delay_No_Mall_restaurant.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Delay No Mall restaurant" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p><em>Oh, what a difference a block makes</em></p>
<p>The Achilles heel of Delay No Mall is its location. Though just a short walk in either direction from main arteries of Causeway Bay, the place is simply awkward to get to. Both by foot and by taxi it&#8217;s not an easy approach. Thanks to the lack of a normal crosswalk, except on one side, and overzealous sidewalk fencing, the journey by foot means climbing up an elevated walkway, or a circuitous route that takes you past the building first. Arriving from the other direction is slightly better, but certainly less traveled. </p>
<p>Stopping by recently, there were a few sad remnants of the art that was initially commissioned. The shops are all gone and it appears to be in the early stages of redevelopment. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Delay_No_Mall_HK_2.jpg" title="Delay No Mall HK 2"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Delay_No_Mall_HK_2.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Delay No Mall HK 2" width="450" height="376" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Delay_No_Mall_address_HK1.jpg" title="Delay No Mall address HK1"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Delay_No_Mall_address_HK1.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Delay No Mall address HK1" width="450" height="359" /></a></p>
<p><em>Becoming a destination</em></p>
<p>From the beginning, Hong Kong Hustle speculated that the mall would need to become a <a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/296/delay-no-more-mall/">destination</a> in order to work. This is a necessity because it&#8217;s out of the routine paths that shoppers follow in Causeway Bay. </p>
<p>By giving the space a unique personality, the operators certainly tried. Achieving the right balance of shopping, restaurants, lifestyle and entertainment attractions isn&#8217;t an easy feat. Causeway Bay is one of the top shopping neighborhoods in the world, and finding niches not already filled is difficult. </p>
<p>The theory behind adding entertainment and restaurants to a mall is that they draw a consistent flow of people through the doors, and thus help attract customers to the shops. This standard formula certainly works for other shopping centers in the city.</p>
<p>Though Delay No Mall, dabbled in adding restaurants and entertainment spaces, it did so rather late in the game and the effect didn&#8217;t seem cohesive. In fact, Delay No Mall opened piecemeal, <a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/315/delay-no-mall-causeway/">in stages</a>. The pressure to open as soon as possible &#8211; perhaps due to high rents, or to catch the Christmas season &#8211; possibly forced this decision. The end result is that the place never felt quite finished. </p>
<p><em>Delay No Mall remixed</em></p>
<p>Will the new reformatting of the space do the trick? I wouldn&#8217;t count these guys out just yet!</p>
<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F1040%2Fdelay-no-mall-hong-kong-causeway-bay-address-hk-shopping-center-lcx-address-god-more&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>My Checker Box &#8211; capsule toys for adults?</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/980/my-checker-box-checkerbox-hong-kong-store-shop-hk-consignment-capsule-toy-compartment-store-causeway-bay-address/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/980/my-checker-box-checkerbox-hong-kong-store-shop-hk-consignment-capsule-toy-compartment-store-causeway-bay-address/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:37:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[capsule toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Causeway Bay shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Causeway Bay store]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[compartment store]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consignment hong kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consignment store Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[micro shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mini boutique]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[My Checker Box]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[my checker box address]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[my checker box causeway bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[my checker box HK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[my checker box hong kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[my checkerbox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[my checkerbox hong kong]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?p=980</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An updated, more stylish version of the &#8220;compartment store&#8221; has recently arrived. My Checker Box, located just a block away from Elizabeth House in Causeway Bay, provides a shopping thrill similar to browsing capsule toys. (For those of you unfamiliar with them, capsule toys are sold in clear plastic bubbles from vending machines.) My Checker [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F980%2Fmy-checker-box-checkerbox-hong-kong-store-shop-hk-consignment-capsule-toy-compartment-store-causeway-bay-address&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=My_Checker_Box_Hong_Kong.jpg" title="My Checker Box Hong Kong"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/My_Checker_Box_Hong_Kong.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="My Checker Box Hong Kong" width="450" height="397" /></a></p>
<p>An updated, more stylish version of the &#8220;compartment store&#8221; has recently arrived. <strong>My Checker Box</strong>, located just a block away from Elizabeth House in Causeway Bay, provides a shopping thrill similar to browsing capsule toys. (For those of you unfamiliar with them, capsule toys are sold in clear plastic bubbles from vending machines.)</p>
<p>My Checker Box&#8217;s ground floor location, rare for this sort of shop, is a large 1900 square feet. Instead of a single owner, compartment shops typically rent out small cases of varying sizes to potentially over 100 different want-to-be retailers. The interior of the store includes modifiable compartments so that renters can create a tailored fit for their inventory. It&#8217;s up to the individual tenant what kind of merchandise they&#8217;d like to sell in their box.</p>
<p>The space is well lit, and features an interesting design both inside and outside the shop. Part of what makes the place attractive is that the items for sale (in clear plastic cases,) become part of the design.<span id="more-980"></span></p>
<p>With the right positioning, each compartment is a tiny universe unto itself. The experience of browsing the unique displays is reminiscent of glancing over toys sold in plastic bubbles.</p>
<p>At the time I visited there was a strong mix of products, from rare, limited-edition sneakers to eyeglass frames and designer items from celebrities. Where I think this type of shop has additional potential is in selling small hand-made products, such as the kind available at the <a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/local-culture/537/living-room-craft-market-hong-kong-sense-99-crafts-art-hk-sense-99-sunday/">crafts fair we covered</a>. </p>
<p>As I&#8217;ve stated before, I like these shops because they give people an opportunity to dabble in the basics of creating a product and running a store. Facing Hong Kong&#8217;s exorbitant rents, it also provides a way for small designers to showcase their work without needing a huge initial investment or commitment to opening their own shop. </p>
<p>Unlike previous places we&#8217;ve <a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/402/hong-kong-mini-mall-consignment-store/">written about</a>, My Checker Box does not take a cut from the tenant&#8217;s sales. </p>
<p>My Checker Box offers different rents depending on the size and location of the space within the store. It&#8217;s a very interesting concept, taken to a higher level than previous shops I&#8217;ve seen. Factors that may influence their success include whether they can get good foot traffic and attract the right kind of browsers.</p>
<p>For details on their pricing information, have a look at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=74566498733&#038;ref=ts" target="_blank">My Checker Box Facebook page</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=My_checkerbox_HK_address.jpg" title="My checkerbox HK address"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/My_checkerbox_HK_address.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="My checkerbox HK address" width="450" height="325" /></a></p>
<p><strong>My Checker Box </strong><br />
G/F, 228 Gloucester Road<br />
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong (one block away from Elizabeth House towards Wanchai)<br />
mycheckerbox@gmail.com<br />
9349-5871</p>
<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F980%2Fmy-checker-box-checkerbox-hong-kong-store-shop-hk-consignment-capsule-toy-compartment-store-causeway-bay-address&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>A special place for cold-blooded friends?</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/870/pet-store-hong-kong-causeway-bay-hk-reptile-corner-turtle-lizard-snake-shop/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/870/pet-store-hong-kong-causeway-bay-hk-reptile-corner-turtle-lizard-snake-shop/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:56:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HK pet store]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong exotic pet]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong pet shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong pet store]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lizards Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet store Causeway Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet store HK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reptile Corner Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reptiles Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[snakes in Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[turtles in Hong Kong]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?p=870</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was walking along Cannon Street in Causeway Bay (known for pet stores and Vietnamese restaurants,) when I spotted a new shop. There was a small crowd gathered out front peering through the windows. What was the attraction? If you looked closely in the first window there was a chameleon semi-camouflaged, blending in with the [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F870%2Fpet-store-hong-kong-causeway-bay-hk-reptile-corner-turtle-lizard-snake-shop&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Hong_Kong_reptile_pet_store.jpg" title="Hong Kong reptile pet store"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Hong_Kong_reptile_pet_store.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Hong Kong reptile pet store" width="352" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>I was walking along Cannon Street in Causeway Bay (known for pet stores and Vietnamese restaurants,) when I spotted a new shop. There was a small crowd gathered out front peering through the windows. What was the attraction?<span id="more-870"></span></p>
<p>If you looked closely in the first window there was a chameleon semi-camouflaged, blending in with the fake leaves in its enclosure. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Hong_Kong_pet_store_HK_CWB.jpg" title="Hong Kong pet store HK CWB"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Hong_Kong_pet_store_HK_CWB.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Hong Kong pet store HK CWB" width="446" height="449" /></a></p>
<p>In the second window there were three large lizards slithering around on the ground as a female staff member attended to them. A few medium-sized turtles were also in the mix.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Hong_Kong_pet_store_shop.jpg" title="Hong Kong pet store shop"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Hong_Kong_pet_store_shop.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Hong Kong pet store shop" width="432" height="446" /></a></p>
<p>No, wise-guy, this wasn&#8217;t the opening of an exotic burger joint! The shop, <strong>Reptile Corner</strong>, is a clear standout among the other pet stores in the neighborhood.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m not sure why, but certain people find reptiles irresistible as pets. Perhaps it has something to do with our love of dinosaurs?</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not just guys buying reptiles either. There seems to be equal interest from both men and women. A girl I know used to have a large lizard and would take it on outings to Repulse Bay beach! (I wouldn&#8217;t want to be the one laying there when that thing slithered up!)</p>
<p>There was enough action in the front window alone to keep me outside on the pavement. I didn&#8217;t go in for a closer look, so I&#8217;m not sure whether their stock also includes snakes, another reptile. </p>
<p>Have an idea why people like reptiles as pets? Add your thoughts in the comments!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Snake_girl_Hong_Kong.jpg" title="Snake girl Hong Kong"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Snake_girl_Hong_Kong.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Snake girl Hong Kong" width="302" height="436" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/art-design/375/embassy-art-exhibit-chai-wan">Can we all just get along?</a></p>
<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F870%2Fpet-store-hong-kong-causeway-bay-hk-reptile-corner-turtle-lizard-snake-shop&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Snickers, Kit Kat, umbrella?</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/605/hong-kong-ula-umbrella-vending-machine-hk-octopus-card-mtr-7-eleven/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/605/hong-kong-ula-umbrella-vending-machine-hk-octopus-card-mtr-7-eleven/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2009 17:29:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hong kong octopus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hong kong umbrella]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hong kong vending machine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MTR station]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Octopus card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[octopus card hong kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[octopus HK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[octopus payment system]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ula umbrella]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[umbrella vending machine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vending machine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weird vending machine]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?p=605</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was walking through the Admiralty MTR station last Sunday when I noticed a large vending machine against one of the posts. Positioned in a rainbow formation beneath the glass was a colorful array of umbrellas. Vending machines are normally associated with items such as drinks and snacks, but other, more novel uses do exist. [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F605%2Fhong-kong-ula-umbrella-vending-machine-hk-octopus-card-mtr-7-eleven&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=ULA_umbrella_vending_machin.jpg" title="ULA umbrella vending machin"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/ULA_umbrella_vending_machin.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="ULA umbrella vending machin" width="346" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>I was walking through the Admiralty MTR station last Sunday when I noticed a large <strong>vending machine</strong> against one of the posts. Positioned in a rainbow formation beneath the glass was a colorful array of <strong>umbrellas</strong>.</p>
<p>Vending machines are normally associated with items such as drinks and snacks, but other, more novel uses do exist. Hong Kong Hustle previously covered the use of vending machines to sell <a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/389/cosmetics-vending-machine/">cosmetics</a>. We concluded that that combination of product and sales method perhaps wasn&#8217;t a great match. How about umbrellas?<span id="more-605"></span><br />
<em><br />
Not every product is suitable for vending machines</em></p>
<p>If you think about it, umbrellas don&#8217;t require refrigeration, won&#8217;t expire, and (in this case) are a uniform size, which makes them easier to sell via machine. </p>
<p>Though I&#8217;m no expert, I believe that umbrellas are likely a seasonal product. Certain months it rains more than others, which means that during those months umbrella sales are at their peak. If this is the case, it would be smart to temporarily install a vending machine in the MTR for the few months that people tend to buy them. </p>
<p>Umbrellas are a necessity purchase driven by weather conditions. Therefore, when it comes to buying one, most people do not have the luxury of brand loyalty. Often you don&#8217;t shop around for an umbrella. There is no single store associated with umbrellas (although in Hong Kong there actually are a few stores that do specialize in umbrellas!)  If it&#8217;s raining and you don&#8217;t have one, you buy one! </p>
<p>I should mention that umbrellas in Hong Kong are actually dual use. During hot, sunny days it&#8217;s common to see people using umbrellas to block the sun. The vending machine in fact boasts that the umbrella cuts 90% of UV rays. Perhaps this also explains why the colors may prove popular &#8211; people want an umbrella to look good with their outfit and aren&#8217;t just using them as protection from the rain. </p>
<p>Placing them in the MTR station is a smart idea. Not only is it a high foot traffic area, but it catches the potential consumer in the midst of their trip, offering them the opportunity to buy before they exit onto the street or on their way home.</p>
<p><em>Simplicity</em></p>
<p>Vending machines are best at simple transactions. In Hong Kong, their ease of use is aided by accepting the ubiquitous Octopus card. The Octopus is a payment system developed initially for transportation (trains, buses, trams, mini-buses and ferries,) that has spread throughout the city. Places that accept Octopus range from Starbucks, McDonald&#8217;s, and 7-Eleven, to Hong Kong&#8217;s parking meters. Payment by Octopus means faster transactions with no fumbling for change. The majority of Hong Kong&#8217;s residents have an Octopus card and use them on a daily basis. </p>
<p>According to the diagram, purchasing an umbrella from the vending machine is extremely easy. The machine outlines a two step process: first, touch your Octopus card to the designated area and next, select a color. That&#8217;s it! </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=ULA_umbrella_Hong_Kong.jpg" title="ULA umbrella Hong Kong"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/ULA_umbrella_Hong_Kong.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="ULA umbrella Hong Kong" width="450" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>The vending machine smartly concentrates on small-sized umbrellas with a wide selection of colors. This is particularly well suited to fashion-conscious Hong Kong shoppers. The small size additionally appeals to those who would like to put their umbrellas away in a bag when not in use. (Stop to think how many times you&#8217;ve been caught lugging around an umbrella when you don&#8217;t need one.)</p>
<p>The umbrellas retail for $68 HKD. This is more expensive than convenience store umbrellas, which I believe retail from around $26 to $46 HKD. However, the advantage of these umbrellas is they come in basic, popular colors, (with no obtrusive logos,) and are small enough to tuck into a bag. </p>
<p><em>Potential competition? </em></p>
<p>Hong Kong&#8217;s massive network of convenience stores, 7-Eleven and Circle K currently provide a major source of temporary or single-use umbrellas. The stores are literally all over the city, as well as in the MTR stations. However, the umbrellas they sell are not particularly high-quality, nor are they available in fashionable colors. 7-Eleven for example sells several lines: umbrellas with their logos, or more discreet, single-colored umbrellas. Both of these occasionally sell out during Hong Kong&#8217;s sometimes sudden, heavy rains.</p>
<p>Verdict: a well-placed vending machine offering small umbrellas in a wide range of colors fills a niche &#8211; especially during the peak of Summer and the rainy season!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=umbrella_vending_machine_Ho.jpg" title="umbrella vending machine Ho"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/umbrella_vending_machine_Ho.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="umbrella vending machine Ho" width="450" height="336" /></a></p>
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		<title>Wellington Street transformed!</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/526/wellington-street-central-hong-kong-address-karen-millen-store-pedder-red-shop-eq-iq-hk-soho/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/526/wellington-street-central-hong-kong-address-karen-millen-store-pedder-red-shop-eq-iq-hk-soho/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:16:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Calvin Klein]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Calvin Klein Hong Kong store]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EQ IQ Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EQ IQ store]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Karen Millen address]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Karen Millen Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Karen Millen store]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pedder Red]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pedder Red address]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pedder Red Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pedder Red store]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wellington Street]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wellingtong Street Hong Kong]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/526/wellington-street-central-hong-kong-address-karen-millen-store-pedder-red-shop-eq-iq-hk-soho/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For years, vacant lots sat idle on Wellington Street, a busy pathway between the escalator, Lan Kwai Fong, and the heart of Central. Recently however, the look of the street has changed dramatically. The long, inclined block now boasts a healthy array of retail brands occupying ground floor locations. What happened? The rise of the [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F526%2Fwellington-street-central-hong-kong-address-karen-millen-store-pedder-red-shop-eq-iq-hk-soho&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Karen_Millen_Hong_Kong_stor.jpg" title="Karen Millen Hong Kong stor"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Karen_Millen_Hong_Kong_stor.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Karen Millen Hong Kong stor" width="450" height="324" /></a></p>
<p>For years, vacant lots sat idle on <strong>Wellington Street</strong>, a busy pathway between the escalator, Lan Kwai Fong, and the heart of Central. Recently however, the look of the street has changed dramatically. The long, inclined block now boasts a healthy array of retail brands occupying ground floor locations. What happened?<span id="more-526"></span><br />
<em></p>
<p>The rise of the escalator and Soho</em><br />
The completion of the escalator system in 1994 helped to make areas nestled on the hillside between Central&#8217;s business district and the Mid-Levels residential neighborhood more accessible. Back in the day, there wasn&#8217;t much in Soho except for commercial printers and waste paper recycling operations. With the growth of small, one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, the neighborhood began to take off. The surrounding areas, including Lyndhurst Terrace also began to flourish. Wellington Street, essentially a passageway to the escalator and Soho, started to attract more foot traffic. </p>
<p>Though it took years before landlords and retailers began to take notice, Wellington Street offers ground floor exposure on a busy link between the epicenter of Central and the trendy neighborhoods just uphill to the West. </p>
<p>Only a few years ago, you literally had empty lots, an old bank, and various commercial enterprises occupying prime locations. Recently, ground-floor businesses that have been there for decades are starting to go. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Wellington_street_Hong_Kong.jpg" title="Wellington street Hong Kong"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Wellington_street_Hong_Kong.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Wellington street Hong Kong" width="450" height="324" /></a></p>
<p>Wellington Street now boasts retail tenants such as <strong>Calvin Klein</strong>, <strong>Karen Millen</strong>, <strong>EQ IQ</strong>, and <strong>Pedder Red</strong>. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Calvin_Klein_Hong_Kong_stor.jpg" title="Calvin Klein Hong Kong stor"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Calvin_Klein_Hong_Kong_stor.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Calvin Klein Hong Kong stor" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Karen_Millen_Hong_Kong_HK.jpg" title="Karen Millen Hong Kong HK"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Karen_Millen_Hong_Kong_HK.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Karen Millen Hong Kong HK" width="342" height="450" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=EQ_IQ_clothing_Hong_Kong.jpg" title="EQ IQ clothing Hong Kong"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/EQ_IQ_clothing_Hong_Kong.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="EQ IQ clothing Hong Kong" width="401" height="439" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Calvin_Klein_store_Hong_Kon.jpg" title="Calvin Klein store Hong Kon"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Calvin_Klein_store_Hong_Kon.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Calvin Klein store Hong Kon" width="450" height="342" /></a></p>
<p>With several new buildings open, and older spaces being optimized, the transformation from nondescript shortcut to retail destination seems to be nearly complete.</p>
<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F526%2Fwellington-street-central-hong-kong-address-karen-millen-store-pedder-red-shop-eq-iq-hk-soho&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>A flagship for champagne? Moët Bar Macau!</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/492/moet-bar-champagne-macao-moet-atelier-dfs-galleria-macao-shoppes-at-four-seasons-duty-free-store/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/492/moet-bar-champagne-macao-moet-atelier-dfs-galleria-macao-shoppes-at-four-seasons-duty-free-store/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:16:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cotai strip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DFS Galleria Macau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Galleria Macau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lane Crawford Macau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Macau Duty Free]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Macau shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moet atelier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moet bar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moet bar Macau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moet champagne bar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moet event Macau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moet Macau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moet party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moet Swarovski]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shoppes at Four Seasons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shopping mall macau]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Venetian Macau]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Friday night for the first time I took the new ferry directly to the Cotai strip in Macau. This recently developed area is home to several new attractions, the most prominent being the massive Venetian complex. Arriving at night, the new route lacks the dramatic view of the older Jetfoil, but it&#8217;s a more direct [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F492%2Fmoet-bar-champagne-macao-moet-atelier-dfs-galleria-macao-shoppes-at-four-seasons-duty-free-store&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Moet_bar_Macau_Four_Seasons.jpg" title="Moet bar Macau Four Seasons"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Moet_bar_Macau_Four_Seasons.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Moet bar Macau Four Seasons" width="450" height="350" /></a></p>
<p>Friday night for the first time I took the new ferry directly to the Cotai strip in <strong>Macau</strong>. This recently developed area is home to several new attractions, the most prominent being the massive Venetian complex. </p>
<p>Arriving at night, the new route lacks the dramatic view of the older Jetfoil, but it&#8217;s a more direct option if you&#8217;re headed to Taipa. My destination for the night was the <strong>Moet Bar</strong> which recently opened in the brand new <strong>DFS Galleria Macau</strong>, part of <strong>The Shoppes at the Four Seasons</strong>. The sprawling network of buildings is actually all connected to the <strong>Venetian</strong>. </p>
<p>To make things clear, the Moet Bar isn&#8217;t meant to be a nightspot. In fact, its operating hours end at midnight.<span id="more-492"></span> </p>
<p>Instead it&#8217;s actually a temporary flagship space built to support the champagne brand by having consumers equate Moet with luxury. It accomplishes this in several ways. First is by its premium location. The Moet bar is located in Macau&#8217;s newest upscale shopping center. Secondly, the bar is situated smack in between high-traffic upscale brands Dior and Louis Vuitton. Even if shoppers don&#8217;t stop in for a drink, they will recognize that Moet is on par with the other symbols of luxury surrounding it. </p>
<p>The Moet bar is also a success design-wise. It attempts (with good results) to translate the essence of champagne into a physical manifestation. There are hanging mobiles that give the feeling of floating bubbles and other touches that transform the space. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Moet_atelier_Macau_champagne.jpg" title="Moet atelier Macau champagne"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Moet_atelier_Macau_champagne.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Moet atelier Macau champagne" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p>In between two champagne bars are a set of golden petals that create a more cozy atmosphere.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Moet_champagne_atelier_Macau.jpg" title="Moet champagne atelier Macau"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Moet_champagne_atelier_Macau.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Moet champagne atelier Macau" width="450" height="338" /></a></p>
<p>My main criticism of the Moet Bar as an event space is that it doesn&#8217;t mask the fact that it&#8217;s located directly in the midst of a shopping mall. For the event on Friday night, shoppers ambled by, curiously looking over as the function took place. In the future I would suggest creating temporary, removable walls using draped fabric to enclose either side of the long back bar. Without this, there isn&#8217;t a sense of privacy or intimacy that is usually found at exclusive events. Perhaps this is where the &#8220;golden bubble&#8221; that makes up the center of the space comes in. Here between the gold petals you have several tables to sip champagne in a little more private setting.</p>
<p>On the night that I visited, Moet was launching a new service that allows customers to customize bottles of champagne with Swarovski crystals. For a small fee you can have the crystals spell out names, dates, or monograms. </p>
<p>A second interesting thing I spotted during the night were golden bottles of Moet.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Moet_gold_bottle_Macau.jpg" title="Moet gold bottle Macau"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Moet_gold_bottle_Macau.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Moet gold bottle Macau" width="317" height="450" /></a><br />
<em>Note the bottle being poured in the photo</em></p>
<p>The bottles were very effective at attracting attention and guests repeatedly posed for photos with them.</p>
<p>As a temporary flagship (it will close in January 2009,) the Moet bar&#8217;s role isn&#8217;t necessarily to make money, but to build a strong impression of the brand. At this task it handily succeeds.<br />
<em><br />
A tangent on Macau nightlife</em><br />
I tend to have a negative view on upscale nightlife in Macau. Not long ago there was a rush to create cool clubs catering to the influx of gamblers, but realistically, there isn&#8217;t the type of crowd that can support a sophisticated venue. In Macau, as in Las Vegas, the place is really about gambling and everything else takes a back seat. For all their know-how at running casinos, I haven&#8217;t been impressed by the casino&#8217;s ability to open a nightspot. The briefly opened Tryst attached to the Wynn&#8217;s hotel and casino is a case in point. Despite all the bells and whistles they brought out on opening night, the place just didn&#8217;t look cool or have a good crowd apart from a few tables from Hong Kong. After a few months, the space was quickly re-purposed into private gaming rooms. </p>
<p>The majority of gamblers in Macau arrive from Mainland China. They don&#8217;t have the appetite for a high-end nightclub. They are more inclined to spend their money gambling and perhaps go to a karaoke or sauna. </p>
<p><em>Shopping in Macau</em><br />
Shopping in Macau used to be a fairly dull affair. For luxury purchases and trendy brands most people would just come to Hong Kong. As Macau has been developed over the last few years though, there has been a huge influx of brands that nearly make the trip to Hong Kong irrelevant. (This transformation may be complete once <strong>Lane Crawford Macau</strong> opens!) <em>UPDATE: Lane Crawford is no longer planning a branch in Macau.</em></p>
<p>I didn&#8217;t have much of a chance to look over the DFS mall itself. Just making my way to and from the venue, the place did have a significant grouping of luxury brands under one roof. Though smaller, the selections seemed somewhat comparable to Hong Kong&#8217;s Elements or IFC shopping malls when it comes to luxury offerings.</p>
<p>The big question now is &#8211; can Macau support all of the new shops that have opened over the last three years?</p>
<p><strong>Moët Bar Macau</strong><br />
* <a href="http://www.ateliermoet.com/" target="_blank">Only open until January 2009</a><br />
The Shoppes at Four Seasons<br />
Estrada de Baia de N. Senhora da Esperanca<br />
s/n, Taipa, Macau SAR<br />
Noon to midnight<br />
853 8118-9333<br />
DFS Galleria Macau<br />
<a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Moet_champagne_bar_macau.jpg" title="Moet champagne bar macau"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Moet_champagne_bar_macau.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Moet champagne bar macau" width="450" height="325" /></a></p>
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		<title>The return of Dusty!</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/488/dusty-clothing-brand-store-mongkok-hong-kong-hk/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/488/dusty-clothing-brand-store-mongkok-hong-kong-hk/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:54:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dusty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dusty clothing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dusty clothing brand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dusty HK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dusty Hong Kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dusty shop]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Langham Place]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mongkok shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mongkok store]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Long before CLOT and Silly Thing popped up on the international street wear radar, Hong Kong was already home to several urban brands. For those who don&#8217;t know, Dusty is a local clothing company with a long pedigree. These guys have been doing their thing way before most of Hong Kong caught on. I&#8217;m talking [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F488%2Fdusty-clothing-brand-store-mongkok-hong-kong-hk&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Dusty_clothing_store_Hong_K.jpg" title="Dusty clothing store Hong K"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Dusty_clothing_store_Hong_K.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Dusty clothing store Hong K" width="375" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Long before <strong>CLOT</strong> and <strong>Silly Thing</strong> popped up on the international street wear radar, Hong Kong was already home to several urban brands. For those who don&#8217;t know, <strong>Dusty</strong> is a local clothing company with a long pedigree. These guys have been doing their thing way before most of Hong Kong caught on. I&#8217;m talking about nearly a decade of bringing cool brands to the city and doing collaborations with underground artists from all over the world.<span id="more-488"></span> </p>
<p>Last week was the opening of Dusty&#8217;s new shop in Mongkok, just down the street from Langham Place shopping mall. Browsing the store during the opening I spotted cool shirts, jeans and even backpacks by Dusty. Over the years their line has grown tremendously. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Dusty_clothing_Hong_Kong.jpg" title="Dusty clothing Hong Kong"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Dusty_clothing_Hong_Kong.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Dusty clothing Hong Kong" width="337" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Their new location, on the same block as Langham Place shopping mall, is an interesting choice. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Langham_Place_Mongkok_shopp.jpg" title="Langham Place Mongkok shopp"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Langham_Place_Mongkok_shopp.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Langham Place Mongkok shopp" width="347" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Mongkok&#8217;s shopping area is traditionally more heavily concentrated on the Eastern side of Nathan Road. Once Langham Place opened, (in a former red-light district,) I anticipated that the landscape would change, and that shops would begin to the surround the mall. Slowly but surely this is starting to happen. </p>
<p>The ground floor location of the new Dusty shop is a departure from their previous second-floor stores behind Sogo in Causeway Bay, and on Fa Yuen Street in Mongkok. The advantages of a street-level location are many. Foremost is that it&#8217;s more accessible to the casual passerby than having to walk up a staircase. This is important since Hong Kong thrives on convenience. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Dusty_store_Hong_Kong_HK.jpg" title="Dusty store Hong Kong HK"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Dusty_store_Hong_Kong_HK.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Dusty store Hong Kong HK" width="375" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Looking around the store, Dusty&#8217;s clothing and accessories are reasonably priced and offer strong value for the money. Since fashion is becoming more and more global, I try to make it a point to buy local designers. (Who wants to wear the same thing as people all over the world?) </p>
<p>Dusty is celebrating their new shop with the launch of several limited edition products. These include collaborations with other Hong Kong clothing companies such as M.C. Yan&#8217;s (<strong>NSBQ</strong>) and Sam Lee&#8217;s (<strong>SUBCREW</strong>).</p>
<p><strong>Dusty store address:</strong><br />
Shop B, G/F Tak Cheong Commercial Building<br />
215 Portland Street, Mongkok<br />
Kowloon</p>
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		<title>Exploring Hong Kong&#8217;s sample stores!</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/467/hong-kong-sample-stores-shops-clothing-outlets-bargain-discount-sales/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/467/hong-kong-sample-stores-shops-clothing-outlets-bargain-discount-sales/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:58:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bargain shopping Hong Kong]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong sample sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hong Kong sample stores]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Kowloon sample clothing sales shops HK]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Being located at the foot of the world&#8217;s foremost clothing producer has its benefits. While shopping in Hong Kong offers a cornucopia of brands, there are even more choices tucked away on side streets around the city. In fact, almost every major neighborhood in Hong Kong has some sort of store selling factory samples at [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F467%2Fhong-kong-sample-stores-shops-clothing-outlets-bargain-discount-sales&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Li_Yuen_Street_Hong_Kong_1.jpg" title="Li Yuen Street Hong Kong 1"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Li_Yuen_Street_Hong_Kong_1.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Li Yuen Street Hong Kong 1" width="450" height="341" /></a></p>
<p>Being located at the foot of the world&#8217;s foremost clothing producer has its benefits. While shopping in <strong>Hong Kong</strong> offers a cornucopia of brands, there are even more choices tucked away on side streets around the city. In fact, almost every major neighborhood in Hong Kong has some sort of store selling factory samples at a fraction of their normal retail price. If you derive pleasure from uncovering hidden treasures, then <strong>sample store</strong> hunting is for you!<span id="more-467"></span></p>
<p>Let&#8217;s get the definition of a sample store straight. I&#8217;m not talking about outlet stores that feature one brand, or the stock from one chain. We have those too. I&#8217;m talking about clothing that seemingly fell off the truck! The stores that sell this type of clothing put little to no effort into decor and the clothes are casually, sometimes neatly strewn about. </p>
<p>Hong Kong doesn&#8217;t have someplace like New York&#8217;s Century 21, which is a whole department store filled with discounted brand name goods. It does however have networks of small shops selling every kind of clothing imaginable. (People searching for large sizes (who may have trouble in normal Hong Kong stores) are in luck. I&#8217;ve seen larger sizes including XXXL available in all of the sample shops.) Perhaps this proves that the clothing was intended to be sold overseas.)</p>
<p>Brands I&#8217;ve spotted include contemporary names such as Ed Hardy, Dsquared, and Neighborhood, in addition to dozens of more blue-blood labels. Even better deals are available on high-quality, no-name apparel. Prices range from $10 HKD to several hundred for something special. In some stores the prices are so low that bargaining is not necessary. In others, as a general rule, the more you buy, the better your chance at getting a reduction. </p>
<p><em>Are they fakes?</em><br />
Occasionally yes, but mostly no. If they are fakes, they are likely to be really bad ones that you can easily spot, or really good ones that would be difficult to discern. For whatever reason, the products might indeed be samples, dead stock, over-runs, or include some sort of unimportant defect. </p>
<p><em>Useful tips:</em><br />
Always do a thorough inspection of the item before you purchase it. Cash is the preferred method of payment. Some shops will not let you try on the clothes, but they often have a measuring tape that you can use to check the size. (Sometimes the labels are wrong! Check the size first before you buy.)</p>
<p>The sample store areas that I believe offer the best selection include Wanchai, Prince Edward and Causeway Bay. Sometimes these shops will have merchandise unavailable in other stores in the city. </p>
<p>Stock is always changing, which keeps the game fun. Once you explore a shop you will have a better idea what type of merchandise they specialize in. Some of the stores are chains who have other shops in say Wanchai and Prince Edward. The stock can vary from branch to branch! (I&#8217;ve been able to find different colors of the same style in different branches.) </p>
<p>Don&#8217;t pay too much! After you do a bit of exploring you will begin to understand the market price for certain items. </p>
<p>If you see something you like at a good price, pick it up! Chances are it may not be there the next time you return. </p>
<p>Only go sample store hunting when you have the patience and time to dig through clothing or jump from store to store, otherwise it can be frustrating.</p>
<p>Please feel free to add your favorite sample stores in the comments, or share any amazing finds!</p>
<p>Happy hunting!</p>
<p><strong>Hong Kong sample store addresses</strong>:</p>
<p><strong>Prince Edward:</strong><br />
63 to 205 Fa Yuen Street in Prince Edward. Very close to exit B2 of the Prince Edward MTR station. Located on Fa Yuen Street between Bute Street and Prince Edward Road West. One long block! You should walk not in the center, but on either side to spot the sample shops. </p>
<p><strong>Causeway Bay:</strong><br />
7 to 27 Lee Garden Road near 490 Hennessey Road (next to the side of the old Mitsukoshi.) This half a block area has some good finds! Jardine&#8217;s Crescent, the narrow lane next to exit F of the Causeway Bay MTR is also a good spot. Check the small shops on either side of the lane.</p>
<p><strong>Wanchai:</strong><br />
28 to 142 Johnston Road in Wanchai. Take MTR exit A3. The surrounding blocks are filled with sample stores. Just follow the tram line and you can find shops on both sides of the street. The side streets here offer even more shops. A few of these are somewhat over priced. Check the others before you buy. </p>
<p><strong>Central:</strong><br />
Li Yuen Street East and Li Yuen Street West, near 55 Queens Road. Between Queens Road and Des Voeux Road in Central. Take Central MTR exit D2 and walk towards Sheung Wan on Queens Road to find them. Again, the stores are not in the central aisle, but on the sides.</p>
<p><strong>Tsim Sha Tsui:</strong><br />
21 to 79 Granville Road between Carnarvon Road and Chatham Road South. Take Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station B1 and walk up Nathan Road until you hit Granville Road. Next walk East towards the main shopping section. There are fewer and fewer sample stores here. The remaining ones are on the odd numbered side of the block.</p>
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		<title>Welcome to&#8230; The Denim Zone!</title>
		<link>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/448/evisu-ifc-mall-lucky-brand-jeans-7-for-all-mankind-true-religion-denim-audigier-juicy-couture/?nucrss=1</link>
		<comments>http://www.hongkonghustle.com/shopping/448/evisu-ifc-mall-lucky-brand-jeans-7-for-all-mankind-true-religion-denim-audigier-juicy-couture/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:00:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[7 For All Mankind jeans store Hong Kong]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Strolling through the third floor of the IFC mall, I was surprised to see the denim brands: Evisu, 7 For All Mankind, True Religion, and Lucky Brand Jeans, all occupying the same corner of the shopping center. In a pamphlet nearby I read that this area is dubbed the &#8216;Denim Zone&#8216;. In Hong Kong you [...]<img height="1" width="1" src="http://services.nuconomy.com/i.nsi?methId=log&projTok=58b23912-68&ownus=admin&sver=WordPress%2F1.48+%28nuconomy%29&srcId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hongkonghustle.com%2Fshopping%2F448%2Fevisu-ifc-mall-lucky-brand-jeans-7-for-all-mankind-true-religion-denim-audigier-juicy-couture&crtId=148&dt=1280638658">]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=IFC_mall_denim_Hong_Kong.jpg" title="IFC mall denim Hong Kong"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/IFC_mall_denim_Hong_Kong.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="IFC mall denim Hong Kong" width="450" height="315" /></a></p>
<p>Strolling through the third floor of the <strong>IFC mall</strong>, I was surprised to see the denim brands: <strong>Evisu</strong>, <strong>7 For All Mankind</strong>, <strong>True Religion</strong>, and <strong>Lucky Brand Jeans</strong>, all occupying the same corner of the shopping center. In a pamphlet nearby I read that this area is dubbed the &#8216;<strong>Denim Zone</strong>&#8216;.</p>
<p>In Hong Kong you traditionally have similar businesses clustered together in the same district. This means that lighting stores will be next to lighting stores, restaurant suppliers next to restaurant suppliers, sneakers shops next to sneaker shops, fabric stores next to fabric stores and so forth. </p>
<p>Was the placement of the denim brands here an example of an old technique in a new setting, or something different altogether? If it works for kitchen sinks, will it fly for fashion?<span id="more-448"></span> </p>
<p>I grew up thinking of the mall* as a suburban phenomenon. I typically picture a setting that sacrifices competition for convenience. Most suburban shopping centers will have one cinema, one home improvement center, one electronics store, one bookstore etc. But that&#8217;s not how it works in Hong Kong. Throughout the city you can find shopping centers that specialize in one particular product. There are computer malls, camera malls, video game malls, and toy malls among others. </p>
<p>This being the case, there is no stigma attached to being located next to someone selling the same or similar products**. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/?pagename=album&amp;?pp_album=main&amp;pp_cat=default&amp;pp_image=Lucky_jeans_store_Hong_Kong.jpg" title="Lucky jeans store Hong Kong"><img src="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/wp-content/photos/Lucky_jeans_store_Hong_Kong.jpg" class="pp_image" alt="Lucky jeans store Hong Kong" width="450" height="306" /></a></p>
<p>Thinking back to the Denim Zone, when consumers evaluate jeans, are they looking at simply the nuts and bolts of the garment, such as the dye of the fabric, or the stitching? Or is part of their purchase based on the perceived value of the brand, the image that the designer cultivates? By lumping brands offering essentially the same product together does it encourage the shopper to become desensitized to the back story*** and think of them as more of a physical commodity?</p>
<p>Should companies that work hard to create a particular image and ambiance be sandwiched together?</p>
<p>Occasionally there may be conflicts. For example, Evisu jeans contain Japanese imagery, so what happens when Lucky Brand Jeans puts their latest line in the window featuring similar patterns or iconography? How about the logos? As a casual passerby it&#8217;s difficult to discern where Evisu ends and True Religion begins&#8230; the logos are quite similar. (What if this was Nike and Li Ning?)</p>
<p>I can see the issue going in several directions.</p>
<p>People are traumatized by Hong Kong&#8217;s retail panorama. Walking with a friend who has lived in N.Y. but is from China, she remarked how she liked things all under one roof because the choice of shops here is simply too dizzying. In a way, this grouped placement provides both convenience and competitiveness. Situating similar shops adjacent to one another might also allow shoppers to become more discerning and begin to have a better appreciation of quality.</p>
<p>Denim jeans differ from one another by fit, so perhaps this formula is genius. Because you can try on many different pairs at once without having to leave the mall, you feel confident that you&#8217;ve comparison shopped, thereby upping the chance of an actual purchase! (Perhaps this is the psychology that drives businesses to be clustered together in the first place?)</p>
<p>(* My negative view of malls is the opposite of contemporary urban Asia. People aspire to live above the shopping center. It&#8217;s the ultimate controlled environment. Especially for the nouveau riche, high-end, landscaped malls represent picture-perfect modernity. Living there means having escaped the unkempt chaos of the city.)  </p>
<p>(** Unfortunately, this holds true in Hong Kong&#8217;s <a href="http://www.hongkonghustle.com/food/439/hong-kong-best-burger-hamburger-cheeseburger-hk/">restaurant scene</a> as well, with inferior copycats opening up in the same vicinity!)</p>
<p>(*** Perhaps shoppers from Mainland China, where nearly all brands are new, do not have the same hang-ups about a label&#8217;s back story. Maybe that&#8217;s why even small luxury brands are in a land grab expansion in China trying to establish their names and introduce their heritage / pedigree / provenance.)</p>
<p><strong>The Denim Zone</strong><br />
Evisu, True Religion, 7 for All Mankind, Lucky Brand Jeans, Christian Audigier, Juicy Couture<br />
Podium Level 3 (near the corner of Two IFC)<br />
Shops 3077 to 3085B<br />
<a href="http://www.ifc.com.hk" target="_blank">IFC Mall</a><br />
8 Finance Street<br />
Central, Hong Kong</p>
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