Hong Kong Department Stores

Most of Hong Kong Department Stores are either inside or adjacent to shopping malls to maximize convenience and passing trade. Most stores sell a brand range of items which almost always includes fashion, cosmetics, home furnishings, jewelry and gifts.

Japanese style department stores such as Sogo, Seibu and UNY are particularly popular. Hong Kong Department Stores vary from the dollar stretching bargain shopping of Jusco to the credit-card straining luxury of Harvey Nichols. The grand old lady of Hong Kong department stores however remains Lane Crawford.

Harvey Nichols

A British department store’s first branch in Asia with such high expectations its design is a tasteful blend of hip and high design. The store takes up five floors but each floor space is small and oddly shaped and it’s difficult to find things. What sets it apart from other department stores is the cosmetics. Perfumes and make-up tend to be ‘cult’ brands. The Organic Pharmacy counter is impressive, and the neon Beyond Beauty counter sells ranges not available anywhere else in Hong Kong including Ren, June Jacobs. The restaurant on the fourth floor will serve you a contemporary high tea for two.

Jusco

Jusco is probably Hong Kong’s most authentic Japanese and moderately priced department store. Beside an array of eastern and western groceries in its supermarket section this huge store sells a range of lifestyle goods. From cookware to bed linen electronics to children’s shoes, it has also a bakery for fresh bread and a warm food counter for beef skewers roast chickens and sushi boxes. The main branches are located in Kornhill, Whampoa, Tseung Kwan O, Lok Fu, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun and Tai Po.

Lane Crawford

The first Lane Crawford store in Hong Kong was established way back in 1850 and the store has been a bastion of luxury shopping ever since. Today there are four Lane Crawford stores each with its own distinguishing features and particular draw.

The store in IFC mall features conceptual designs by contemporary artists. All stores have an excellent selection of high-end cosmetics fashion shoes and home ware. Prices may be high but the service is first rate with personal shopper service on offer as well as cafes in which to take a break.

Marks & Spencer

M&S h as 8 branches in Hong Kong which are popular places to pick up the basics such as underwear and nightwear in western-friendly sizes. The food on offer is limited to pre-packed items such as biscuits preserves and snacks.

M&S comes into its own Christmas time, however with Christmas puddings mince pies and brandy butter just some of the hard-to-find products on offer to enhance your festive feast.

One big selling point is the fact that M&S has far and away the most generous returns policy in Hong Kong. Goods in a saleable condition and with a receipt can be returned for an exchange or refund within a whopping 90 days of purchase without it they will give you an exchange or gift vouchers.

Seibu

Seibu is one of the largest department stores in Japan and Hong Kong has the first Seibu store to open outside Japan.

This is a chic department store that tempts affluent yuppies with top designer men’s and women’s clothing shoes and accessories cosmetics and home furnishings. The fashion tends to be hip to classy. Good range of women’s jewelry from Victorian style chokers to girly silver pendants and earthly bracelets.

Two thirds of the store merchandize is European and about 25% Japanese. The Loft section carries stylish houseware greeting cards and gifts. There also a branch in Langham Place and a small one in Windsor House.

Sogo

Sogog was founded in 1830 in Osaka by Japanese businessman retailer of used kimono. The first branch opened in Hong Kong in 1985 and its now the biggest Japanese-style department store in the city.

Sogo carries everything from massage chairs and mattresses to brand and everyday clothes shoes stationery perfumes tableware and digital cameras all at competitive prices.

There are 12 shopping floors conveniently arranged into levels of similar goods. There are food court and supermarket in Basement 2 and fashion perfumes and many more. The Home ware and electronic goods sections offer a diverse selection and range of prices.

The store connects directly to the Causeway Bay MTR station.

UNY

UNY retains the feel of its country of origin most closely thanks largely to a superb food hall in the basement here you will find huge selection of Japanese foodstuffs from sweets and bottled drinks to freshly made delicacies such as yakatori and soba noodles. It has also an extensive sushi and sashimi counter while a bakery is one of the many attractions at the reasonably priced sit-down food court on the same floor.

UNY is a good place to shop for Japanese homeware including professional quality kitchen knives bedding and furniture. There is a fair-sized cosmetics area, featuring the likes of Lancome and Lush while their footwear and toy departments also feature a broad range although the clothing department is not the trendiest in town.

Local and western brands sit next to their Japanese counterparts throughout the store.

Wing On

Wing On is one of the more local of the large Hong Kong Department Stores dotted around the town. Its five branches in Central Cityplaza Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan and Discovery Bay offer a wide selection of modestly priced clothing footwear and home furnishings, electronic goods gifts and more.

Not a place for designer labels but is a practical and cheap place to purchase home basics beddings and kitchenware. Only few places that have a better range of cooking and small electrical items to meet practically any budget particularly the flagship store in Central HK.

Yue Hwa

This is an old fashioned and inexpensive store which gives an interesting glimpse into traditional Chinese Culture, including many types of tea and traditional medicines. On sale are bamboo crafts, Chinese oil paintings, mahjong sets, rosewood furniture, tennis table bats, woolen underwear, cheongsams, shoes, men’s suits and cute children’s Chinese outfits.

It’s a good place to buy an everyday Chinese tea set as there is a diverse range of styles and prices are reasonable. The main branch is in Causeway Bay but the other main department store branch are at 1 Kowloon Park Drive in Tsim Sha Tsui and King’s Road North Point. there are other smaller branches that specialize in Chinese medicines.

Independent Shops

Hong Kong shopping scene that has burgeoned recently, in addition to designer boutiques bringing together the best in local and international fashion. There are many retailers who have elected to fill a gap in the market by importing merchandize from the United States, Japan and other countries or by designing their own creations.

Chocolate Rain

Thsi is a quirky jewellery and accessories company set up by award winning local designer Prudence Mak, who left the field of advertising in 2000 to follow her dream of being a fashion and accessories designer.

They have three branches within a one-minute walk each other in SoHo. The Staunton Street branch sells handcrafted long, beaded drop earrings flamboyant rings and delicate necklaces.

You can also sign up there for a number of creative courses; you can also learn to decorate fabric using jade pearls semi-precious stones beads and needlework. The branch at 18 Elgin Street called Art in Progress Dessert is a café bar and restaurant specializing in desserts. They also sells jewelry and run jewelry making and cookery classes.

Evergreen

Tucked away in the nondescript Bartlock Centre close to Times Square in Causeway Bay is a boon for budding Tony Hawks or those that merely enjoy American skate fashions. The third floor has a awesome range of boards decks and protective gears by most of the popular skating paraphernalia. The 1st floor is for skate fashion in here you will find such as T-shirts caps and belts and ski-hats by LRG, Lithium.

G.O.D.

This is Hong Konger’s first choice for stylish furniture home accessories and kitchenware. It is particularly good spot to pick up stylish linen, cushion covers and glassware.

The shop has also branched out with a high-quality clothing range, while the other store in Causeway Bay features a lifestyle restaurant home cooking serves for international cuisine and superb desserts at reasonable prices.

G.O.D is the phonetic sound for Cantonese slang phrase that means to live better.

Homeless

Located at North of Hollywood Road is a scattered collection of restaurants independent shops and a nightclub or two, sometimes it is called NoHo. On Gough Street Homeless is a treasure trove of funky accessories for the home, many of the brands are imported from overseas like Europe Japan and Thailand also some local designer are represented there.

It’s a good place to head if you’re looking for a gift for someone who appreciates designs. Also have branch at 9 Hau Fook Street Tsim Sha Tsui. The Gough Street shop for the record has a bigger range of furniture to choose from.

Joyce

A favorite of the Hong Kong label lovers, this shop stocks a range of enviable designer wear shoes and cosmetics in its three stores. The likes of Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake Marc Jacobs and John Galliano styles are on the racks.

Joyce's flagship store on Queen’s Road Central, opposite to the Landmark is the mix of old-world charm evoked by antique looking furniture and books. The store has a striking window display which adds a touch of stylish humor to the shop’s appeal.

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