Snack chain Aji Ichiban closes all Hong Kong stores

Hong Kong snack food franchise Aji Ichiban has closed all of its stores in the territory after suffering significant losses as Covid-19 caused a slump in overseas visitors, The Standard reports.

The company’s website and phone numbers were reported not to be working since Monday, which is presumed to have been the chain’s last trading day. A spokesperson told The Standard the company might resume its operations in future if circumstances change.

Despite its Japanese name, the snack food chain was established in Hong Kong by Lai Chan Yuk Hing and Lai Hin Tai. The brand opened more than 90 stores in Hong Kong and expanded its business internationally with more than 150 franchised shops, including in the US, the Philippines and Canada. However, most of its international stores have been closed since 2013.

Aji Ichiban is known among tourists for its wide selection of dried snacks, such as beef jerky, dried apricots, Skittles, chocolates, nonpareils, spicy dried fish, plum tablets, nuts, chilli olives, fried and shredded squid.