China’s Top Boutique Openings in 2015

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Last year is yet another in a line of several that proved tough for the luxury retail industry in China. The anti-graft campaign has continued in full force, causing some shoppers to steer clear of flashy, high-cost purchases, while online shopping has driven many malls around the country to close. Still, 2015 was a big year for several international high-end labels, independent boutiques, and department stores that entered China for the first time or were revamped to give consumers an updated look. Here are six brands that made headlines in the style sector this year.
Fei Space

Formerly located in 798 Art District, Fei Space is a culmination of local designers and stylish brands from around the world. Shoppers may also recognize the boutique for its pop-up store in Beijing’s U-Town mall that featured past-season collections from Topshop and Topman. Now that the official Topshop has opened in Galeries Lafayette (see below), the new Fei Space now is primarily focused on Chinese independent designers and some casualwear, such as Beijing-based American workwear brand Taciturnli and Shenzhen designer VMajor. It’s located in the Grand Summit mall, an evolving shopping center in the capital’s embassy district that includes a multitude of high-end Chinese boutiques and local health food chains aimed at the discerning shopper.
Triple Major Beijing

The year was off to a good start as far as openings go—Triple Major wowed media with its expansive new store in Beijing’s developing Dashilar district, which was designed in part to reflect the building’s former use: a Chinese pharmacy. Owner Ritchie Chan moved the concept store featuring both international and local brands from its home in Beijing’s central hutongs to an area that’s quickly transforming into a hub for young creatives with no shortage of locally-owned third-wave coffee shops, art galleries, and small, artisan boutiques.
Topshop at Galeries Lafayette

The new Topshop location at Galeries Lafayette in Beijing. (China Daily)
Topshop has been open in Hong Kong for a few years, but only this year has the brand decided to put roots in the mainland, namely in the French department store Galeries Lafayette, a mall that has been struggling to attract shoppers in Beijing’s Xidan area. This version is tiny compared to its flagship and blends in on a floor mainly reserved for Asian independent labels.
Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger (L) with socialite Olivia Palermo (R) at the brand’s new store opening in Beijing. (Tommy Hilfiger/Facebook)
“Formerly located in 798 Art District, Fei Space is a culmination of local designers and stylish brands from around the world.”
Tommy Hilfiger kicked off opening its largest store in Beijing’s In88 shopping center with a football-themed runway show in the spring, hoping to gain Chinese fans by pushing an all-American aesthetic.
JNBY Concept Store

A look from JNBY’s latest collection. (Courtesy Photo)
The JNBY Concept Store is nothing new outside of China, but Beijing gained its first in the new Grand Summit mall this year along with an art exhibit in cooperation with Beijing’s UCCA to kick things off. Fans of the international, Hangzhou-born brand that’s known for supporting independent Chinese designers with high-end clothing for adults and children also get a selection of contemporary jewelry and handbags and artisan chocolate.
Macy’s (Tmall)

Macy’s entered China this year on more official terms when it opened its shop on Alibaba Group’s Tmall, becoming the first U.S. department store to do so. It steered away from opening a brick-and-mortar shop, unlike its competitors who have done so and struggled, like the UK brand Marks & Spencer. M&S closed a chunk of its stores in Shanghai and instead opened a brand new space in Beijing’s business district shopping center, The Place.
Michael Kors

Model Ming Xi makes an appearance at the Michael Kors opening in Beijing. (Michael Kors/Facebook)
Huamao Shopping Center in Beijing acquired a 9,000-square-foot Michael Kors flagship store last month, which was celebrated with a photo exhibition done in collaboration with Vogue China. The new shop is now the largest in Asia, followed by the Shanghai flagship that opened last year alongside a high-profile campaign to attract jet-set Chinese consumers.
Questions & Answers
Q.What factors made 2015 a difficult year for China's luxury retail industry?
What factors made 2015 a difficult year for China's luxury retail industry?
The anti-graft campaign caused some shoppers to avoid high-cost purchases. Also, the rise of online shopping led to the closure of many malls across the country, making it a challenging environment for luxury retailers.
Q.How did Fei Space change its focus after the official Topshop opened in Beijing?
How did Fei Space change its focus after the official Topshop opened in Beijing?
After Topshop established its presence in Galeries Lafayette, Fei Space shifted its primary focus. It now mainly features Chinese independent designers and casualwear brands, such as Taciturnli and VMajor, moving away from its previous pop-up style offerings.
Q.Which international department store opened on an e-commerce platform in China instead of a physical store?
Which international department store opened on an e-commerce platform in China instead of a physical store?
Macy's entered China by opening a shop on Alibaba Group's Tmall. This made it the first U.S. Department store to establish a presence in the country through an online platform rather than a traditional brick-and-mortar store.
Q.What is notable about the new Michael Kors store that opened in Beijing's Huamao Shopping Center?
What is notable about the new Michael Kors store that opened in Beijing's Huamao Shopping Center?
The new Michael Kors store in Huamao Shopping Center is 9,000 square feet. This makes it the largest Michael Kors store in Asia, surpassing the size of the Shanghai flagship which opened the previous year.
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