Marks & Spencer to open one of its largest stores in Hong Kong in Whampoa mall
British retailer among many international brands flocking to the Hung Hom neighbourhood ahead of Kwun Tong line MTR extension
Marks & Spencer – the 131-year-old London-based retailer – plans to open one of its largest stores in Hong Kong in the residential area of Hung Hom as early as the first quarter of next year, and has rented the area currently occupied by the gym chain California Fitness, according to source close to the deal.
The coming M&S store would be settled in an area of at least 40,000 sq ft in the Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa – a shopping mall developed and operated by Cheung Kong Property.
It will be one of the largest among the British retailer’s 23 stores in Hong Kong.
In addition to the area currently occupied by the gym chain, M&S will also take up space from other small leasing units in the same mall, the source said, without disclosing the exact rent.
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Meanwhile, California Fitness will end its decade-old club at the premises, and be relocated to a nearby place next year.
“The existing club will be in service until December 31,” it said, in a letter to club members, adding that the new one won’t be opened until the second quarter of next year.