Hong Kong’s retail sales in May jumped by 2.4 per cent year on year, reversing a 14-month contraction, with the uptick boosted by a surge in visitors during several “golden week” holidays. Provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Wednesday showed total retail sales in May reached HK$31.3 billion (US$3.9 billion). The…
Hong Kong’s restaurant industry is expecting the wave of business closures to continue into the second half of the year with little hope for a quick turnaround, following a string of shutdowns of well-established chains in the city. “We are worried about the overall situation in the second half of the year,” Simon Wong Ka-wo,…
Hong Kong’s restaurant industry is bracing for the wave of business closures to continue into the second half of the year with little hope for a quick turnaround, following a string of shutdowns of well-established chains in the city. “We are worried about the overall situation in the second half of the year,” Simon Wong…
Restaurant chain Ocean Empire failed to pay over 100 workers before its sudden closure, with the Labour Department estimating that claims totalled around HK$15 million. Branch of Ocean Empire in Wan Chai closes its door on May 8, 2025 as the chain announced a sudden closure. Photo: Irene Chan. Around 110 workers were not given…
The news of Ocean Empire, a 33-year-old congee restaurant chain, suddenly shutting down is not surprising. The catering industry has struggled mightily since Hong Kong reopened its borders after the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and many local restaurants have bitten the dust. The disrupter of the century so far, the pandemic has permanently changed…
Hong Kong restaurant chain Ocean Empire has announced the closure of all its branches, putting an end to its 33-year history. Ocean Empire’s Wan Chai branch on May 8, 2025. Photo: Irene Chan/HKFP. The company informed staff of the decision on Wednesday, saying the closure of its seven branches and the termination of all staff…