Luxury shopping in Hong Kong and Mainland China is about more than just buying things. Yes, digital sales are rising, but physical stores still lead when it comes to real luxury purchases, especially during Christmas. Mainland Chinese shoppers want the full experience: seeing, feeling, and choosing high-end products in person. Digital channels offer convenience, but in-person shopping remains central for those who are truly driving the luxury market.
Hong Kong’s shifting retail scene
Pacific Place has emerged as the top choice for Mainland Chinese luxury shoppers in Hong Kong. With its carefully curated line-up of top brands and an atmosphere of quiet elegance, Pacific Place is delivering what discerning buyers want: a refined environment and seamless service.
In contrast, LANDMARK-long considered the city’s luxury shopping icon-has dropped to number six. Prestige alone is not enough to keep loyalty when the in-store experience does not stand out. Shoppers are voting with their feet, favouring places that make them feel valued and inspired.
LANDMARK’s challenge: construction and uncertainty
LANDMARK faces real struggles. Its legacy of luxury is being tested by a multi-year, $3.1 billion overhaul called “Tomorrow’s CENTRAL,” promising new flagship boutiques, expanded dining, and a reimagined Mandarin Oriental hotel. Yet, this transformation means disruption, noise, and uncertainty. Shoppers see scaffolding where they expect sparkle. There are big questions about whether this year’s Christmas event can recapture LANDMARK’s lost magic, especially with construction underway and last year’s display falling flat. For luxury, details matter. And when those details are missing, so is the connection.
LANDMARK’s struggle: why details matter
Last year’s Christmas display at LANDMARK missed the mark. Curated by Sarah Andelman, “Wrap It Up! A Christmas Atelier” was meant to be a seasonal highlight, but it felt ordinary-too similar to other malls and not nearly grand enough for shoppers used to extravagance. There is scepticism about this year’s event, reflecting the broader uncertainty about LANDMARK’s future. Shoppers notice when emotional resonance and excitement are missing.
Why physical stores still dominate
Luxury is not just about the transaction. It is about connection, exclusivity, and experience—the kinds of moments only physical stores provide. Mainland Chinese buyers especially seek unique, memorable experiences during holidays. Brands and malls that do not deliver risk losing their audience, no matter how storied or prestigious their address.
What to watch this season
This Christmas, the real winners in Hong Kong’s luxury retail scene will be those who treat every customer visit as an opportunity to create something unforgettable. Details are not an afterthought; they are the core of loyalty. For Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong’s top spenders, the experience is as important as the product-and their stories begin the moment they step through the door. In luxury, it is never just about making the sale. It is about giving shoppers a story worth sharing long after they leave.