Mainland brands power Hong Kong retail recovery as F&B is joined by fashion and beauty

Mainland Chinese retail brands are increasingly entering Hong Kong's market, with a notable shift towards non-food and beverage (F&B) sectors like fashion and beauty. This trend is helping Hong Kong landlords fill vacant retail spaces, contributing to an uneven recovery in the property market, according to JLL. In the first four months of the year, over one-fifth of new retail entrants were mainland brands. Last year, mainland brands constituted approximately 30% of new entrants, maintaining their position as the most active sector entering Hong Kong. This influx of non-F&B mainland retailers signifies a change in the profile of brands expanding into the city.