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Wynna Wong

A number of well-known chains have announced permanent closures or have pulled out from Hong Kong’s market as the retail and dining sectors continue to struggle in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The closures highlight the challenges faced by the city’s businesses amid economic pressures and changing consumer patterns, including Hongkongers’ growing preference for spending in neighbouring mainland Chinese cities.
The Post lists some of the chains that have vanished from Hong Kong’s streets in recent years.
CR Care
A health product chain under the state-owned China Resources Group, CR Care announced on Tuesday it would shut down all of its 19 Hong Kong branches next month due to “external uncertainties and various operational challenges”.
A union said 50 to 60 workers would be affected.
Garrett Popcorn Shops
Hailing from Chicago and known for its gourmet popcorn, Garrett Popcorn Shops also said on Tuesday it would close all of its branches in Hong Kong after 13 years in the city.
Its webpage showed it had six stores left in Hong Kong, located in Times Square in Causeway Bay, the IFC shopping centre in Central, Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, APM in Kwun Tong, Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong and Hong Kong International Airport.

Crostini
In September 2022, bakery chain Crostini closed all 15 of its outlets in Hong Kong amid the city’s strict anti-Covid measures, which included closed borders, vaccine passes and limited operating hours for retail stores.
The company said it had struggled to remain profitable during the pandemic.
Crostini said it was a “pity” the chain’s fortunes had not turned around, leading to its “grave decision” to close down.
Around 100 staff members accused Crostini of owing them millions of Hong Kong dollars in wages, while some customers said the bakery had deceived them by continuing to sell prepaid vouchers despite plans to shut down.
Flash Coffee
The status of Flash Coffee in Hong Kong remains unclear after the Asian chain shut down all of its stores in Singapore in October last year, while assuring Hong Kong customers its operations in the city remained unaffected.
But a number of branches closed one after another in the following months. While its official website still shows 17 store locations in the city, including in Causeway Bay Plaza and Tsim Sha Tsui’s Mirror Tower, none of the outlets still exist.
Holly Brown
An early pioneer in the city’s cafe scene and known for its large variety of unusual ice cream flavours, along with specialty coffees and pancakes, Holly Brown announced the closure of its last flagship store in June 2023.
Its subsidiary, Cabin Crew Coffee, also ceased operations in August that year, marking the end of all restaurants under the brand.

UA Cinemas
After 36 years in operation, UA Cinemas became one of the giants to fall amid plummeting retail activity in 2021.
The chain said it had faced “unavoidable and devastating pressure” since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the mandatory closure of its venues for more than 190 days in 2020.
UA Cinemas had six theatres across the city when it finally shut down, including Times Square in Causeway Bay, the Moko shopping centre in Mong Kok, Maritime Square in Tsing Yi, Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung, and Megabox and Amoy Plaza in Kowloon Bay.
Topshop, Pull & Bear, Bershka
British firm Topshop joined the list of foreign retailers that left the city as sales slumped in 2020.
In 2023, Spanish fashion retail group Inditex, which also owns Zara, announced all Pull & Bear stores in Hong Kong would close by the end of the year. Another brand under its name, Bershka, shut down its remaining store in Tsuen Wan Plaza in June this year.
Paul & Joe
Parisian lifestyle brand Paul & Joe announced in June it was exiting the city after two decades, saying that distributor Pacifique Agencies Far East would no longer have “obligation for any business related to Paul & Joe Beaute after June 30, 2024”.
At the time of the closure, it had two stores in Mong Kok’s Langham Place and Sogo in Causeway Bay.
The brand firm said it would make a comeback in September, but that turned out to be the launch of a new store in Macau’s Yaohan department store.
Dang Wen Li by Dominique Ansel
A spin-off of renowned French pastry chef Dominique Ansel’s eponymous bakery in New York, Dang Wen Li opened to much fanfare with a large shop and cafe in Tsim Sha Tsui’s Harbour City in December 2019. But within five years, all its branches had closed down.
The brand announced on social media in January it was saying goodbye to the city, but that it was “with the hope that we will all meet again soon”.
“We are proud and honoured to have had an opportunity to welcome you and share what we do ... through some difficult times,” the post said.
At the time of its closure, Dang Wen Li had two branches on Hong Kong Island - at H Queen’s in Central and Pacific Place in Admiralty.
DCH Food Mart
Grocery chain Dah Chong Hong (DCH) Food Mart announced in March it was closing down its stores after 39 years in business.
A spokeswoman said the decision to shut all 28 branches had been made after “careful consideration”, but it would continue to serve the public through the company’s sourcing, distribution and processing operations.
Local media outlets also reported the retailer was issuing termination notices to employees, with the letters citing uncertain external factors and operational challenges.


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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s economic woes are killing off chains. Which ones have shut in recent years?

Garrett Popcorn Shops says it will close all of its branches in Hong Kong after 13 years in the city. Photo: Sam Tsang

Crostini closed in September 2022 amid strict anti-Covid measures that hobbled the retail sector. Photo: Jelly Tse

UA Cinemas said it had faced “unavoidable and devastating pressure” during the pandemic. Photo: Felix Wong

No easing of Hong Kong retail sector pain as sales in August fall 10% year on year

Retail firms are struggling with cash flow, a loss of business and an exodus of investors and patrons. Photo: Jelly Tse

Health product chain to shut all 19 Hong Kong outlets while popcorn firm to close

CRCare will shut all of its stores in Hong Kong on November 8. Photo: Jelly Tse

The chain had scaled back operations sharply this year, Photo: Jelly Tse

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

CR Care and Garrett Popcorn Shops join growing list of chains exiting market or closing down, as city’s retail and dining sectors struggle


CR Care and Garrett Popcorn Shops join growing list of chains exiting market or closing down, as city’s retail and dining sectors struggle.


Hong Kong’s economic woes are killing off chains. Which ones have shut in recent years?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}CR Care and Garrett Popcorn Shops join growing list of chains exiting market or closing down, as city’s retail and dining sectors struggle

CR Care

Garrett Popcorn Shops

CR Care and Garrett Popcorn Shops join growing list of chains exiting market or closing down, as city’s retail and dining sectors struggle