Giordano's expansion on track as more units open

CLOTHING retailer Giordano has opened four new franchises in China recently and the chain's mainland business expansion is on course, according to a company official.

Giordano's regional director for Asia, Terry Ng Sze-yuen, said the chain has 53 shops across China, with 19 new franchises added since August.

'Our relation with Beijing is fine,' he said in response to news reports that Giordano's business was targeted by the mainland government because of its dislike of its majority shareholder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying.

A report in the Chinese press yesterday said the government aimed to stop Giordano from advertising and renewing franchises.

Mr Ng said: 'We haven't heard from the Chinese authorities about this, nor has any of our franchisees been put under pressure.' Guangdong officials overseeing the operation of foreign enterprises were said in the report to be unwilling to confirm any anti-Giordano stance by the government.

Mr Ng said he did not see a need to call Guangdong authorities.

'If anything like that's happening, we would inform the public in Hong Kong. And if it was to happen, it's horrendous and it meant a dictatorship,' Mr Ng said.