Hong Kong retail chain Chickeeduck, famed for anti-government stance during protests, to close local stores citing ‘harassment’

Herbert Chow, founder of the children’s clothing chain, says he is shutting his five or so remaining shops after being subject to smear campaigns, official pressure

Chickeeduck owner ruffled the feathers of Hong Kong authorities when he publicly backed anti-government protesters during the 2019 unrest

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National security police searched a Chickeeduck store in Hong Kong earlier this year. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:37pm, 18 Nov 2021Updated: 10:52pm, 18 Nov 2021

A children’s clothing retail chain known for its anti-government stance has announced it will shut down its Hong Kong stores by the end of next year over what the owner called “harassment by the evil force”.

Opposition-friendly businessman Herbert Chow Siu-lung, founder and CEO of Chickeeduck, said he and his shops had been targeted by smear campaigns and subjected to pressure from the authorities since he gave his high-profile support to anti-government protesters during the 2019 social unrest.

“The situation now is such that if you do not speak up in support of the government, you will be regarded as an enemy of the state,” he said on Thursday, as he revealed his decision to cease local Chickeeduck operations.

Herbert Chow, founder of Chickeeduck. Photo: Sam Tsang

Chow also said his suppliers in mainland China and overseas had received warnings not to do business with his company.

“If we cannot guarantee a stable supply of products, our business model cannot be sustained. And our decision is to exit the Hong Kong market in the second half of 2022,” he said.