Apple chooses unexpected location for massive new Hong Kong retail store
Apple's latest retail outpost in Hong Kong --?thought to be the company's largest in Asia -- went public this week with the unveiling of a huge, three-dimensional Apple logo in a somewhat unexpected place.
The new store rises three stories high at the northern end of Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong's busiest neighborhoods and a major shopping area for tourists from mainland China. While the choice to add a TST outlet isn't surprising --?it's been rumored for years --?the final location did take us aback.
Apple chose a spot that is just about as out of the way as one can be in the crowded neighborhood, a 10-minute walk from the nearest subway exit and even further from the famous Star Ferry that carries passengers over Victoria Harbor. And though the store is situated across from the the Harbour City megamall, it stands alone, an unusual configuration for Apple's operations in Asia.
Another twist for this new outlet is the addition of what seems to be a three-dimensional Apple logo to the construction cladding. Rather than painting a large mural, as the company did for its store in the mainland city of Hangzhou, Apple went in a more substantial promotional direction.
The TST location will be Apple's fourth Hong Kong store, joining the flagship IFC outlet in Central, the three-story Hysan Place location in Causeway Bay, and a smaller in-mall shop in Kowloon Tong's Festival Walk. Apple is rumored to be preparing the IFC store, famous for stretching across a roadway, for an expansion that would add a third floor of retail space.
Hong Kong is an important market for Apple as it sits at the doorstep of mainland China and attracts tens of millions of mainland shoppers each year. Many take the opportunity to buy luxury goods and electronics at much cheaper prices than they could in the mainland, which imposes high sales, import, and consumption taxes on such purchases.
The new store rises three stories high at the northern end of Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong's busiest neighborhoods and a major shopping area for tourists from mainland China. While the choice to add a TST outlet isn't surprising --?it's been rumored for years --?the final location did take us aback.
Apple chose a spot that is just about as out of the way as one can be in the crowded neighborhood, a 10-minute walk from the nearest subway exit and even further from the famous Star Ferry that carries passengers over Victoria Harbor. And though the store is situated across from the the Harbour City megamall, it stands alone, an unusual configuration for Apple's operations in Asia.
Another twist for this new outlet is the addition of what seems to be a three-dimensional Apple logo to the construction cladding. Rather than painting a large mural, as the company did for its store in the mainland city of Hangzhou, Apple went in a more substantial promotional direction.
The TST location will be Apple's fourth Hong Kong store, joining the flagship IFC outlet in Central, the three-story Hysan Place location in Causeway Bay, and a smaller in-mall shop in Kowloon Tong's Festival Walk. Apple is rumored to be preparing the IFC store, famous for stretching across a roadway, for an expansion that would add a third floor of retail space.
Hong Kong is an important market for Apple as it sits at the doorstep of mainland China and attracts tens of millions of mainland shoppers each year. Many take the opportunity to buy luxury goods and electronics at much cheaper prices than they could in the mainland, which imposes high sales, import, and consumption taxes on such purchases.
Comments
That a big bus passing by, and it looks like there's a bus stop right in front. I don't think this store is out of the way by any stretch of the imagination.
Can't compare a Hong Kong store to a mainland store. Two different worlds.
Have we become so lazy that a 10 minute walk is considered 'out of the way'?
If the parents who need to illegally park footsteps from the door of the school near my place (blocking traffic), when they could legally park 1/2 block away (and not block traffic) is any indication, then yes.
I see the same thing at most shopping mall and grocery store entrances (illegal parking just so people don't have to walk). Then these same people will spend ridiculous amounts of money on gym memberships and/or their entire life's savings on health care when they have heart disease or other illnesses related to lack of exercise. Cause and effect is a concept lost on far too many people.
Have we become so lazy that a 10 minute walk is considered 'out of the way'?
That a big bus passing by, and it looks like there's a bus stop right in front. I don't think this store is out of the way by any stretch of the imagination.
You clearly have no idea how hot it gets in HK. A 10 minute walk outside in the summer will make you sweat more than The Big Show during Wrestlemania.
Maybe Apple secretly bought up the surrounding commercial property knowing full well that customer traffic will spike when the new Apple Store opens.
Is it any hotter, and more humid than it gets in NYC during the summer?
Or Florida? I walk two miles a day in the mid summer here. You acclimate after time or are a local (within reason of course). I am frozen if it is below 60F now and I was a Brit! LOL
Have we become so lazy that a 10 minute walk is considered 'out of the way'?
That a big bus passing by, and it looks like there's a bus stop right in front. I don't think this store is out of the way by any stretch of the imagination.
Yes actually. I lived in England for 6 years in the 90's and had to walk a lot to get to stores. Was in much better shape as a result.
" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" /> We desire to park in front of a door and walk as little as possible these days which is not good. From their perspective in Hong Kong, that store is just next door.
Is it any hotter, and more humid than it gets in NYC during the summer?
According to this, the heat index in HK right now (it's 10:30 at night over there) is 35C, or about 95 in American units. The heat index in Manhattan at the same time is 24C, or about 75F.
But this one for sure will keep the Mainlanders to Kowloon .... er... sorry.. It's a blessing. And no I'm not against mainlanders. It's just good they add variety to their locations and TST has become predominantly mandarin tourism territory anyway.
I gladly stick to the IFC one.
According to this, the heat index in HK right now (it's 10:30 at night over there) is 35C, or about 95 in American units. The heat index in Manhattan at the same time is 24C, or about 75F.
Miami Florida is WORSE than Hong Kong:
http://www.wunderground.com
TIME: 08:00 July 10, 2015 Pacific Standard Time
Miami, FL:
Temperature: 87 °F
Heat Index 97 °F
Dew Point 76 °F
Humidity 69%
Hongkong, China
Temperature: 83.5 °F
Heat Index 90 °F
Dew Point 74 °F
Humidity 72%
Miami Florida is WORSE than Hong Kong:
http://www.wunderground.com
TIME: 08:00 July 10, 2015 Pacific Standard Time
Miami, FL:
Temperature: 87 °F
Heat Index 97 °F
Dew Point 76 °F
Humidity 69%
Hongkong, China
Temperature: 83.5 °F
Heat Index 90 °F
Dew Point 74 °F
Humidity 72%
It's the middle of the night in Hong Kong. It's almost noon in Miami.
Yes when I see the above. HK doesn't get below 34 deg C during the day in these times, Miami just hit 30 degrees (after 11AM!). It's almost as hot in HK during the night as it is hot in Miami during the day. Plus humidity is "a few" percent higher as well.
Don't forget though that both are bearable. There's other places which are far worse...
To answer your question, what you observed is NOT an indication. I've lived in Asia and Europe and to all countries built around walking rather than driving (like anywhere in Asia) there is a much different relationship to walking than the North American loathing of physical exertion.
Specific to Hong Kong, a 10-minute walk with the heat, humidity, and rain can be quite challenging. 10-Minutes is also about the distance between two stations.
In general terms though, a half-mile is about the comfortably walkable radius for most people.
But, looking at the map I wouldn't say it is that bad of a location. I haven't been over in that area in a decade, but it is hardly off the beaten path.
Elev 260 ft 34.02 °N, 81.07 °W | Updated 9 min ago
Gusts 4.0 mph
Today is forecast to be NEARLY THE SAME temperature as yesterday.
The average temperature in the summer for both HK, and NYC range from the lows 80s to the high 80s F. Luckily we've had a somewhat cool summer so far in NYC.