DICKSON Poon is banking on the lack of serious competition to boost the business of his new shopping arcade in Shanghai.
Mr Poon, the group executive chairman of Dickson Concepts (International), said: ''In Shanghai, there is no other store housing so many internationally recognised names.'' Dickson's 50-50 joint-venture partner is the state-owned Jin Jiang Group, which operates many major hotels in Shanghai, including the Peace Hotel.
Dickson's initial investment was about $200 million, with $60 million spent on retail operations.
The joint-venture company JJ Dickson owns the four-storey building in Changli road.
Mr Poon said the austerity programme was not a problem for the company as it produced domestically. Its position differed from retailers which imported into China.
Total retail space in the centre is 100,000 sq ft, of which 5,700 sq ft is devoted to the Dickson-owned Polo Ralph Lauren shop. Floor staff number from 20 to 30 at any given time.