Type Private Area served Hong Kong and China Founder Ihei Sogo Parent organization Lifestyle Intl | Industry Retail Headquarters Hong Kong Founded 1985 | |
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Key people Thomas Lau (Chairman, CEO) Website Sogo Hong Kong Company Limited | ||
Sogo Hong Kong (Chinese: 香港崇光百貨) is Hong Kong's largest department store. First established by Japanese retailers, Sogo & Seibu Company (Japanese: 株式会社そごう・西武), the department store is now owned by Lifestyle International Holdings (SEHK: 1212). In addition to the flagship store in Hong Kong Island, Sogo Hong Kong operates a second store in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
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History
Sogo Hong Kong, originally parented by Sogo Japan (Japanese: そごう), commenced its operations in May 1985 in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Situated on Hennessy Road, the Japanese styled department store has become an important retail landmark of Hong Kong. In 1993, it underwent major renovations to become "Jumbo SOGO", expanding its area from 11,000 square metres (120,000 sq ft) to 40,000 square metres (430,000 sq ft).
In 2000, Japan's Sogo declared bankruptcy under a US$17 billion debt. The Hong Kong store was subsequently acquired by Lifestyle International Holdings.
In 2005, Sogo Hong Kong opened a second store in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It was located underground, below Salisbury Road. The location was formerly the site of The Palace Mall (1997-2001) and Teddy Bear Kingdom (2002-2005). In 2014, Sogo relocated across Salisbury Road next to Sheraton Hong Kong, encompassing a total floor area of 13,000 square metres (140,000 sq ft).
Business
Sogo Hong Kong's flagship store is spread across eighteen floors of retail space. The store carries mid to high-end clothing brands, sports wear, children's wear, cosmetics, appliances, bedding, and housewares; as such, it is considered a "one-stop shop" for a vast range of goods and services. Sogo Hong Kong also operates the popular Japanese supermarket, Freshmart.
Thankful Week
Sogo's "Thankful Week" is as a semi-annual period in which many of Sogo's brands hold special promotions, often offering steep discounts to their products. Similar to Black Friday, the event is considered a cultural phenomenon among local shoppers and tourists alike.