Tag: Hong Kong

Hong Kong – Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is reportedly set to expand into the Hong Kong market with the launch of its offline flagship store, ‘JD Mall,’ offering an immersive retail experience.

According to a report by local media Ming Pao, JD Mall in Hong Kong is expected to mirror its mainland China counterpart, with a primary focus on home appliances.

Ming Pao also cited sources revealing that since the fourth quarter of last year, JD.com has been actively recruiting employees, offering high salaries to attract talent from Hong Kong’s electrical appliance retail industry as part of its plan to establish physical stores in the city.

Additionally, the report stated that JD Property Development, a subsidiary of JD.com, acquired the entire Li Fung Centre in Sha Tin last year. Meanwhile, related companies have moved into Jardine House in Central, signalling preparations for JD.com’s entry into the Hong Kong market.

Ming Pao also reported that JD.com’s subsidiary, Beijing Jingdong 360 Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd., applied for the trademarks of its instant delivery brands in Hong Kong last December. However, JD.com stated to the local media that there are currently no plans to develop ‘Dada,’ ‘Seconds Delivery,’ or related food delivery services in Hong Kong.

JD.com’s reported entry into Hong Kong comes after Alibaba’s Taobao Hong Kong launched its first furniture and home goods store in Tsim Sha Tsui, signalling a growing push by major mainland e-commerce giants into the city’s market.

Hong Kong – Hearts & Science, an Omnicom Media Group agency, has secured the media business for AS Watson in Hong Kong following a competitive pitch, MARKETECH APAC learnt.

Effective 1 March 2025, Hearts & Science assumed responsibility for all media duties, covering both online and offline channels.

The pitch, reportedly held in the second half of 2024, saw participation from multiple agencies, including incumbent dentsu.

This appointment comes on the heels of the agency’s recent win with Warner Bros. Discovery, where it was named the media agency of record for WBD’s Theatrical and Streaming divisions across multiple Asia Pacific markets.

Earlier this year, OMG also appointed Rochelle Chhaya as APAC CEO of Hearts & Science, leading its regional expansion, including launches in Malaysia and Taiwan in Q1 2025.

Hong Kong – British food delivery platform Deliveroo is exiting the Hong Kong market after serving Hongkongers for over nine years. In a recent disclosure, Deliveroo has confirmed the market exit, and is selling several of its corporate assets to rival platform foodpanda, while the rest of the assets will be closed.

Deliveroo Hong Kong has nominated liquidators to manage the closure of the Hong Kong business and the remainder of its assets in the most efficient way possible. In a report from SCMP, Deliveroo has nominated Cosimo Borrelli and Kroll’s Jocelyn Chi to manage the closure of its business locally.

The platform noted that in 2024, Hong Kong represented 5% of Group GTV and had a 5 percentage point negative impact on International GTV growth.

“There are several dynamics specific to the Hong Kong market which led the Board to consider strategic options and, given the Group’s commitment to disciplined capital allocation, determine that it would not serve shareholders’ best interests to continue to operate in Hong Kong,” the company said in a press statement.

Meanwhile, Eric French, chief operating officer at Deliveroo, commented, “We want to thank all our employees, consumers, riders and restaurant and grocery partners who have been involved in our operations in Hong Kong. We have been proud to serve so many people such amazing food over the past nine years.”

Deliveroo Hong Kong will remain live up until April 7 this year.

Meanwhile, Delivery Hero, foodpanda’s parent company, has confirmed that it is acquiring select assets from Deliveroo. 

Following this, Deliveroo customers and couriers in Hong Kong will be redirected, and certain vendors will be onboarded to the foodpanda platform. This will expand foodpanda’s offering, providing customers with access to a broader selection of restaurants and grocery businesses, including some previously only available on the Deliveroo platform. Vendors will also benefit from access to a larger customer base.

“Delivery Hero’s decision to further invest in Hong Kong reflects its commitment to maintain a sustainable delivery ecosystem that provides the best value for its foodpanda customers, couriers, and business partners,” the parent company said.

Competition in the food delivery space in APAC continues to be demanding, with Uber recently showing interest to buy foodpanda’s Taiwan business for $950m, only to be blocked by the country’s competition watchdog. On another note, there were several media reports as well that Grab is reportedly acquiring rival Indonesian platform GoTo, to which the latter has denied.

Hong Kong – CTF Life has been named the sole diamond sponsor of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) Grand Opening Ceremony, solidifying its role as the exclusive founding insurance partner of the sports and entertainment venue.

CTF Life marked the occasion at the main stadium, joined by its customers, life planners, partners, staff, and their families. The company’s branding was prominently visible throughout the event, reaching attendees at the venue as well as television and online audiences.

The partnership with KTSP reflects CTF Life’s ongoing support for local culture, sports, and tourism initiatives in alignment with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s efforts to promote community engagement beyond sports.

Man Kit IP, executive director and chief executive officer of CTF Life, said, “As the exclusive Founding Insurance Partner of KTSP and the proud Diamond Sponsor of its opening ceremony, we are truly making history with this significant milestone for both Hong Kong and CTF Life.” 

“Our collaboration with KTSP across multiple areas empowers local athletes and performers to unlock their full potential at Hong Kong’s largest integrated sports and entertainment landmark. The partnership will not only bring in world-class international events but also champion the ‘Sports for All’ culture, thus delivering exceptional and diverse experiences for our customers, fulfilling our promise to create value beyond insurance,” he added.

Earlier, the company announced its title sponsorship of the ‘Fencing Plus’ Training Programme by the Kai Tak Sports Initiative, which aims to support the development of young fencing athletes in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong – Carlsberg has signed a partnership agreement with Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), securing the rights as the venue’s official beer provider. 

As the official partner, Carlsberg will provide its beverages to visitors at the venue, aiming to enhance the overall event experience at KTSP. Beyond supplying beer, the partnership seeks to contribute to the atmosphere of the sports and entertainment hub.

Kai Tak Stadium will feature an advanced beer keg storage system and 266 taps across various beverage outlets, ensuring spectators have access to freshly poured Carlsberg beverages. The setup is part of the venue’s efforts to enhance the overall event experience.

Located on the second floor of the East Concourse, ‘THE CHAMPION’ is a standout feature of Kai Tak Stadium. Spanning 100 meters, it ranks among Asia’s longest sports bars and houses a quarter of the venue’s taps. Visitors can enjoy a range of draught options, including Carlsberg, 1664, Somersby, and Carlsberg 0.0, catering to diverse preferences.

Nathaniel Moxom, managing director of Carlsberg Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “We are delighted to announce Carlsberg’s partnership with KTSP. By joining forces with KTSP, we are poised to enhance our brand presence and provide probably the best beer experiences for our international clientele.” 

Moxon added, “This partnership underscores our dedication to quality and innovation, reinforcing Carlsberg as the beer of choice for every occasion. We are excited about the potential brought by this collaboration and look forward to setting new benchmarks at KTSP with Carlsberg.”

John Sharkey, CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park, also shared, “Kai Tak Sports Park is delighted to announce our partnership with Hong Kong’s pre-eminent beer supplier, Carlsberg. Their commitment to the sports and entertainment sector is well-established and fits with reinforcing our home venue ambitions. We look forward to seeing the happy faces on our guests when they get a chance to enjoy Carlsberg’s products at KTSP in the years to come.”

Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) will open on 1 March 2025, hosting a range of major sports and entertainment events. The venue will welcome the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens from 28 to 30 March, along with other international sports and music events. In November, KTSP will be one of the locations for the 15th National Games, marking the first time Hong Kong hosts competitions for the event.

Hong Kong – Hongkong Land, a property investment, management, and development group, has partnered with branding agency DNCO to refresh its corporate identity, highlighting its core strengths and long-standing presence in city centre developments.

As part of its brand refresh, DNCO updated Hongkong Land’s identity to emphasise its core values of excellence, innovation, and hospitality. Centered around the theme “experience is central,” the new branding reflects the company’s long-standing presence in Hong Kong’s Central district and its focus on customer experience and urban development.

DNCO introduced three core values for the team: “Always Forward” emphasises continuous innovation, “Think in Generations” highlights craftsmanship and sustainability, and “Be a Bridge” reflects a commitment to building connections, inspired by Hongkong Land’s pioneering walkway system.

The agency also updated Hongkong Land’s iconic ‘H’ symbol, originally designed by Henry Steiner, to align with digital advancements, introducing a three-dimensional design with motion while preserving its original intent.

The updated symbol features added depth and dimension, incorporating textures, overlays, and perspective shifts inspired by Hongkong Land’s bridges and elevated walkways. Combined with reportage-style photography, the design aims to reflect the dynamic nature of city centre spaces.

Meanwhile, DNCO selected ‘Univers’ for its historical connection to the company and ‘Noto’ for its global reach, supporting over 1,000 languages. The typography features a classic neutral base, complemented by accent colours to add energy and modernity to the corporate brand.

Michael Smith, chief executive at Hongkong Land, said, “DNCO has given us a brand language to elegantly articulate our strategy, alongside a visual identity that reflects the premium quality at the heart of everything we do.”

Founded in 1889, Hongkong Land has played a key role in shaping city centre destinations, from reclaiming land for Hong Kong’s Central district to establishing the first Mandarin Oriental. Under new leadership, the company refreshed its brand to reflect a more forward-looking approach. 

Hongkong Land’s brand refresh is being introduced through a campaign across Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and Shanghai. DNCO also conducted brand masterclasses for over 800 employees. A new brand tool and redesigned website are in development.

Hong Kong – DFI Retail Group (DFI) has unveiled key leadership appointments to strengthen its strategic direction and digital capabilities. Ella Chan has been named group chief strategy officer, while Wee Lee Loh will expand his role as group chief digital and yuu Rewards officer.

Starting 1 April 2025, Chan will lead corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, and customer insights as group chief strategy officer.

Chan has over 20 years of experience in global strategy, transformation, and innovation within the retail and consumer sectors. She has held roles at Walmart in the US, China, and Hong Kong, focusing on business growth and operational improvements.

Chan has also led initiatives focused on driving sales growth, introducing digital innovations, and developing retail formats adapted to changing consumer preferences.

Meanwhile, in his expanded role as group chief digital and yuu Rewards officer, Loh will oversee yuu Rewards, retail analytics, and retail media.

Loh, who joined DFI in September 2023, has a background in digital transformation and e-commerce. In his expanded role, he will focus on utilising data-driven insights and digital tools to support customer engagement.

The appointments of Chan and Loh reflect DFI Retail Group’s focus on strengthening its leadership team to support strategic growth and operational development in the evolving retail sector.

Scott Price, group chief executive at DFI Retail Group, said, “We are pleased to welcome Ella to our leadership team and to expand Wee Lee’s responsibilities. I’m confident their leadership will further strengthen our ability to respond to evolving customer needs, empower our people, and deliver sustained value for our shareholders as we continue driving growth and innovation across the business.”

Hong Kong – VML Hong Kong has elevated Sandra Gin and Edward Ha to executive directors, entrusting them with spearheading regional and local market growth, respectively.

Gin, who joined the former Wunderman Thompson in 2020 as client services director, has been involved in expanding the regional and global business from the Hong Kong office. She has worked closely with major clients such as HSBC, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and Nikon. 

Originally from Canada, Gin has experience at agencies including BBDO Toronto, FCB Toronto, Digitas Hong Kong, and Golin Hong Kong, with expertise across industries such as gaming, telecommunications, healthcare, hospitality, and finance.

Commenting on her new role, Gin said, “I’m incredibly excited to step into this expanded role at VML to further ignite our growth across Asia and beyond. We have the depth and breadth of capabilities to help our clients succeed and a brilliant team at VML ready to make it happen. I’m energised by the opportunity to further shape the future of our agency.”

Meanwhile, Ha brings two decades of advertising experience, blending entrepreneurial insight with multinational agency expertise. Before joining VML, he co-founded and led a boutique agency for eight years.

Ha’s experience across Hong Kong and mainland China has contributed to VML’s work with clients such as the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Endowus, and HSBC.

Talking about his new role, Ha said, The agency landscape is evolving rapidly with ongoing technological and societal changes. Leveraging my experience running a boutique agency, I aim to foster greater agility and maintain a sharp focus on clients’ needs, driving the agency forward alongside the VML leadership team.”

Both Gin and Ha will remain part of the leadership team, reporting directly to Maggie Wong, CEO of VML Hong Kong.

Commenting on the promotions, Wong shared, “Sandra and Edward are invaluable members of our management team. Their passion, commitment, and leadership have been crucial to our success, and I am thrilled to see them advance within the company. They have both laid a robust foundation for our growth in 2025 and beyond.”

Hong Kong – Coca-Cola staged its first-ever 600-drone light show over Victoria Harbour on Friday, marking the grand finale of its Chinese New Year campaign. The display featured 12 scenes depicting festive moments and local traditions, with live narration by actor and singer Louis Cheung.

The “Meet on 2.14: Together, Share Your Heartfelt Wishes with Coca-Cola” campaign at Ocean Terminal Deck, Harbour City, featured a series of festive events. It began with limited-edition packaging showcasing a fireworks design, followed by a lucky draw where winners enjoyed poon choi and a fireworks display aboard a vessel. The grand finale marked Hong Kong’s first-ever Coca-Cola drone show and the city’s first 600-drone performance launched from a barge on Victoria Harbour.

The drone show opened with 600 drones forming the iconic Coca-Cola® bottle, simulating a drink being poured into a glass. The display transitioned into scenes of local dining traditions, including fish balls, siu mai, hotpot gatherings, and celebratory toasts—evoking memories of shared meals and festive reunions. Actor and singer Louis Cheung narrated the performance, highlighting the joy of togetherness during family gatherings.

The show continued with the drones forming a globe and the red “福” (blessing) character, symbolising well-wishes for the new year. The finale featured a fireworks pattern inspired by Coca-Cola’s limited-edition Chinese New Year packaging, accompanied by the slogan “Blooming Blessings, Together Always” (綻放祝福 年一在起).

Distinguished guests at Coca-Cola’s drone show included Sally Cheng Wai Lee, senior frontline marketing director for Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, and Mongolia at Coca-Cola China Limited; Lily Chu Wai Shan, sales & marketing director at Swire Coca-Cola Hong Kong Limited; and Kitman Tang, executive director at Macau Coca-Cola Beverage Co. Ltd.

Alongside the drone show, Coca-Cola opened two limited-time installations at the “Blooming Blessings” check-in spots at Harbour City Ocean Terminal Deck. Visitors can create personalised blessing videos and take photos at the themed spots.

Hong Kong – DFI Retail Group has appointed retail veteran Yoep Man as the new chief executive officer of 7-Eleven for South China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore, effective immediately.

Yoep brings over 20 years of retail leadership in food and FMCG across Asia Pacific. Most recently, as Managing Director of Food in Singapore for DFI Retail Group, he led brands like Giant, Cold Storage, CS Fresh, and Jason’s Deli, driving financial growth, operational efficiencies, and stronger market positioning despite a challenging retail landscape.

Throughout his career, Yoep also played key roles in advancing business growth and operational success, including supporting the growth of Sam’s Club business at Walmart China and the expansion of Dutch-based retailer SPAR into China, Indonesia, Thailand and Mongolia.

In his new role at the Group, Yoep will steer the strategic direction and operations of 7-Eleven across the four key markets, driving innovation and growth to meet changing customer needs.

Additionally, Yoep will also join the Group’s Management Committee, contributing to the organisation’s broader leadership.

Commenting on his appointment, Yoep said, “I am excited to have the privilege to support 7-Eleven’s growth and ambitions in the markets we serve. I look forward to working with our teams and partners to deliver greater convenience, value and innovative experiences for our customers.”

Yoep’s appointment comes as 7-Eleven experiences robust growth, driven by the expanding ready-to-eat market and ongoing digital advancements to enhance customer experiences.

Scott Price, chief executive officer of DFI Retail Group, commented, “We are pleased to appoint Yoep as CEO of 7-Eleven for South China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore. His appointment aligns perfectly with our customer-first approach, given his proven ability to enhance customer experiences and drive innovation.” 

Price continues, “Yoep’s success in leading our food business in Singapore, coupled with his deep understanding of the Asian retail landscape, positions him well to accelerate 7-Eleven’s growth. His expertise in digital transformation and operational excellence will be crucial in evolving our convenience retail offerings to meet and exceed customer expectations across these key markets.”