Stationery Lao Closes 7 Stores This Year, 3 in August Alone
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago4 MIN
Summary
Local retailer Stationery Lao (文具佬生活百貨) has accelerated store closures this year, with seven outlets shuttered by August including three this month alone. The company is navigating lease disputes and expiring tenancies while attempting to maintain its presence in key districts through temporary pop-up arrangements .
Key Points
- The original Lai Chi Kok store, which opened four years ago and initially sold masks before becoming a Korean cartoon goods outlet, will close on August 10 due to unresolved lease negotiations with the landlord .
- A pop-up store at Lai Sun Commercial Centre ground floor will open August 13 to continue serving local customers, with negotiations ongoing for a permanent space at Cheung Sha Wan Plaza .
- The Tsing Yi Citygate pop-up store closed on August 2 after its one-year lease expired, having taken over the former Tom Lee Music location that had operated for 26 years .
- The Sheung Wan store closed in mid-August after a three-year lease ended; the company previously criticized Central landlords for "ambitious" rent hikes and has ruled out returning to Central .
- Store count has dropped from 24 at year-end 2024 to 21 currently, following closures at South Horizons (January), Tiu Keng Leng (February), Sha Tin, Yuen Long and Kwun Tong (March), plus the three August closures .
Why It Matters
The consolidation reflects broader pressures on Hong Kong's retail sector, where independent chains face unsustainable rent increases even as consumer spending remains subdued. Stationery Lao's strategy of prioritizing operational stability over expansion mirrors a cautious approach that smaller retailers may increasingly adopt to survive the current market environment .
The consolidation reflects broader pressures on Hong Kong's retail sector, where independent chains face unsustainable rent increases even as consumer spending remains subdued. Stationery Lao's strategy of prioritizing operational stability over expansion mirrors a cautious approach that smaller retailers may increasingly adopt to survive the current market environment .