6
In recent times more and more UK companies have begun to establish
themselves successfully in Hong Kong's highly sophisticated retail
sector; Habitat, Mothercare, Body Shop, Gieves and Hawkes and Marks
and Spencer to name but a few. One of the most striking recent
examples of the success of British retailers in the market has been
the performance of Marks and Spencer who have taken the Hong Kong
retail scene by storm since the opening of their first shop here in
1988. With four stores already open and a fifth due to open next next
month, their future looks assured.
:
I am pleased to say that there is now a further name to add to the
list. On Monday in Harbour City I opened the first branch of
Mulberry in Hong Kong. in Harbour City.
Mulberry is one of the UK's
very successful exporters with shops in many parts of the world and
they have twice won the Queen's Award for Exports. Their operation
in Hong Kong is a joint venture with Swank Shops and specialises in
luxury leather goods and ladies' and men's fashion. They already
have a second store planned which is a clear demonstration of the
extent of their commitment to, and confidence in, the market.
The British business profile in Hong Kong has in fact been
increasing all round. At home British interest in the market
remains considerable and a large amount of new business has been
done by smaller British companies visiting Hong Kong for the first
time. Their representatives have been visiting in large numbers
vte19mon.210
5