Public Question
What is inspiring to see in Hong Kong?
We would like to know what people around the world think it is inspiring to see in Hong Kong, from a personal point of view, to a retail point of view.
Asia is a total different market and some times it is interesting to see what other people think about HK retail and businesses.
Public unpaid question.
Rob Mackenzie
I agree with Ged and Nishad. I've lived in HK for over a year now and sure to here for a few more. From a personal and consumer point of view, HK is such a vibrant city with a mash-up of Asian and Western cultures and brands, I've never experienced anywhere quite like it for a compact metropolis perched on a rocky island - a village on the edge of China.
-Being a transient city, style here is varied, a mixture of Hong Kong, Chinese and Western. People come and go but leave their mark. Fashion stores here are plentiful catering for every price level, with tailors covering anything bespoke. Though one thing I don't quite understand, it's mostly cheaper to buy items in the UK, how is this when most of it is made a few hours north of the city?
-The level of service here is a delight to have but yet can be frustrating. With a service culture that many other countries should learn from, there needs to be an understanding of how to approach consumers from different corners of the world, being jumped on by shop staff as soon as you step over the threshold is a big turn-off for many with in-store music driving many people to take project headphone cover!
-Bars and restaurants are plentiful, they cater for everyone and deliver amazing food for all price points - HK still offers the lowest price Michelin stared restaurant 'Tim Ho Wan' in Kowloon. With much of the living accommodation being so compact and little space left for a kitchen this drives many people out to eat with a positive side in return - making HK a very social environment to go out alone or with friends.
-But bars and restaurants also come and go as quick as they open, for some there seems to be little understanding of the target market. Often opening the same old design, food and drink concept that has been seen before including a music selection complied from the same record box. There's a great opportunity here to offer something unique and different to capture the many people in this 24/7 city.
-The transport system here is very efficient, it's easy to get around yet it's a shame to see the bicycle diminish and the car dominate. A place where many people are reliant on using air-conditioned cocoons to be carried from a-to-b, it'd be welcoming to see more pedestrianised areas and cycle friendly routes as emission levels and traffic jams increase.
-Of course, the place is a stepping stone to the rest of Asia, a great hub for both business and pleasure.
-The Octopus card is great for daily transactions and the HK ID card is a secure and efficient way of getting things done - a photo ID card, so simple yet many other countries are so opposed to them. We all have credit cards and passports, what's wrong with personal ID's? I look forward to when they combine it all into a mobile phone.
-Sensorially HK has much to inspire, each corner tells a different story from the wet-markets to the shopping mall there is such a contrast and conflict of smells, textures, tastes and sounds. Let's not allow the greed for consumerism push out the the old shops, markets and communities that make HK so vibrant.
... that's all for now!
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Deanna Lawrence
The speed of innovation, with the acceptance of “failure” and consistent “change” as a natural part of the process.
Jakkrit Angsutti
I would recommend you to the Monocle Shop, Hong Kong.
There location is in "Wanchai" - other nice district in HK.
Ged Carroll
Hong Kong inspires from so many different levels:
- The people are generally very friendly and there is a service culture that most retailers in the west don't reach
- The high density property provides a road map for the megacities of the future without turning into slums
- Governance and policing. How on earth did the British get it right in Hong Kong and so wrong in the UK?
- Public transport and infrastructure, is clean, efficient and good value
- The Star Ferry, about the cheapest way to see Hong Kong and allowing you to appreciate its full neon glory
- G.O.D - think Urban Outfitters meets a designer furniture store
- 3HK mobile vending machines for phones, sim cards and PAYG top-ups
- The Octopus travel card and payment system accepted in 7-Eleven, McDonalds, AMC Cinemas and several other places
- Great - supermarket in Pacific Place which sets the standards for supermarkets everywhere
Nishad Ramachandran
I live in Mumbai, which is pretty much like HongKong. So the few times I have visited the city. I am used to crowds, chaos, traffic, narrow spaces and more in Mumbai and I pretty much encounter the same in most parts of HongKong. Yet unlike Mumbai, HongKong has been designed to be more efficient. Starting with the airport, to the train that connects it to the city, to the quality of the roads, the mature traffic, I have enjoyed the pace, energy and buzz that the city has.
From a retail perspective, I think HongKong has been the go to place for big box retailers from around the world, so you can experience the same world-class service and quality that you can get from these brands anywhere else.
On another front, HongKong has been able to stay true to its roots without getting over-run by western ideas and idols, unlike a Dubai.
For me HongKong would be the No 1 city in Asia.
