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The H&M flagship on Paterson Street – which has been an unofficial Causeway Bay landmark for years – is officially gone, and new players have already claimed the massive space it left behind. The new name on the lease is W.Management (WM), a retail powerhouse out of Ningbo that has spent the last few years dominating the Gen Z fashion scene across the border in mainland China.
Reportedly, WM has secured a substantial 30,000-sq-ft area, accounting for about two-thirds of the former H&M flagship space. They are said to be paying just over $2 million a month in rent – a staggering figure, to be sure, but still nowhere close to the $10 million H&M was shelling out at its peak. While the official floor plan hasn’t been confirmed, market chatter suggests the brand is likely to occupy the first and second floors of Hang Lung Centre. This follows reports that local pharmacy and beauty giant Lung Fung Group has set its sights on the 10,000-sq-ft ground floor for a reported $1.2 million, leaving the expansive upper levels for WM’s mega-store concept.
Much like the wave of Chinese fast-fashion brands that have popped up in recent years, W.Management is heavily inspired by the Brandy Melville aesthetic. Their stores prioritise visual impact over traditional retail layouts, famous for having elaborate fitting rooms, model-like staff, and camera-friendly lighting. Visitors can expect everything from the edgy ‘hot girl’ Y2K revival of the flagship WM line to the softer, more feminine aesthetic of its sister brand, One More.
With H&M only recently clearing out in February, it’s still unclear when renovations for the new store will be completed. While some are eyeing a possible launch later this year, we’ll have to wait for the boarding to go up before any dates are set in stone. We’re keeping a close eye on this Causeway Bay site, so make sure to check back with us when more details come through.
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