Chickeeduck to shut 3 remaining stores by November

Hong Kong retail chain Chickeeduck has decided to shutter all their stores upon the end of their current lease periods. According to the statement the brand posted on its Facebook and Instagram on 16 August, the chain’s three remaining lifestyle stores will shut after their leases expire, with the last store in Tin Hau closing in late November. 

“Thank you all for your support towards Chickeeduck, whether it was the children’s clothing or the lifestyle department store, we can only hang on to this day all because of your support,” said the post.

 “[We] believe you all know that we have faced many different obstructions, but we insisted on continuing, because [we] hoped to provide you all with products that held sentimental value and carried the spirit of Hong Kong[…]No matter how hard we have tried… all good things must come to an end,” the brand added.

The retailer also called for consumers and supporters to visit the remaining stores and get memorable souvenirs.

In November last year, the Kids' clothing company Chickeeduck announced its plans to quit the Hong Kong market in the second half of this year due to disturbance and unprecedented harassment.  
Multiple reports including the South China Morning Post, The Standard, and Hong Kong Free Press quoted Chickeeduck owner Herbert Chow saying that the company suffered from "unprecedented harassment by unidentifiable malicious forces" in the past 18 years. He added that it was not feasible to continue the business' operations in the city due to disruptions in product supply and difficulties in securing leases.

Launched in 1990, the brand strives to offer quality children's wear at accessible prices. It also started to emphasise on social responsibility and value the importance of voicing out. In 2020, the brand has expanded into men's and women's wear and collaborated with local artists, then developing into international market such as Canada, China and Indonesia from 2021.

Chickeeduck gained popularity in the pro-democracy camp for displaying artwork and products with messages related to the protests in 2019 in its stores. Such displays have led to early terminations of the leases of Chickeeduck stores and frequent inspections of the national security police.

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