SHKP Quarterly

The Group's multiple regional malls, such as Harbour North in North Point and Metroplaza in Kwai Fong opened creative workshops and pop- up stores, adding to the charm of the shopping malls and successfully attracting a lot of consumers to visit and shop. During the fight against the pandemic in the past three years, the Group invested a lot of resources in introducing innovative technology and ongoing optimization to its retail portfolio, ensuring its shopping malls’ software and hardware are of premium quality and preparing for the return to normal. Reinforcing its strength of being a “retailtainment” hub, a brand new 60,000-square-foot indoor entertainment zone Play Park housing family-friendly shops was opened in New Town Plaza in Sha Tin in the second half of last year. It also introduced the first flagship oversea store of “Kiztopia”, which is the largest indoor playground in Singapore, a one-of-a-kind and the first flagship experience hub for children, “Yum Me Play”, the World’s largest escape room experiential brand, “LOST”, and a vintage theme playground, “The Wonderful World Of Whimsy”. Following its strategic rebranding and reconfiguration, wwwtc mall in Causeway Bay, home to young luxury brands and new-concept restaurants, is opened in phases since the beginning of the year, coinciding with the Hong Kong–mainland border reopening schedule. The Group has also strengthened its use of smart technology and digital solutions to optimize management efficiency and service quality in its shopping malls, such as introducing multifunctional smart robots to conduct extra cleaning and disinfection, adopting nanotech for escalator and lift disinfection, and installing touch-free devices and 5G smart utilities. For instance, customers can enjoy contactless parking service and automatic fee settlement in the Group’s parking lots via The Point mobile app. Real-time occupancy information of smart restrooms, nursery rooms and customer service centres can be easily accessed via mobile phones, providing customers with a more comfortable shopping environment. The full border reopening with the mainland in early February and the lifting of the mask mandate, the last social-distancing measure, in early March, mean that Hong Kong is on the path to normalcy. The Group’s shopping malls recorded further recovery in footfall amid faster-than- expected rebound in local retail market, driven by significant increase in mainland tourist arrivals. Looking ahead, the Group will continue to launch timely initiatives and promotions that cater to the preferences of local consumers and visitors travelling to Hong Kong, solidifying the strengths of its shopping malls and enhancing their business performance, creating a win-win situation for tenants, consumers and the overall Hong Kong retail market. IFC Mall, Central 中環國際金融中心商場 Tai Po Mega Mall 大埔超級城 MOKO, Mong Kok 旺角 MOKO 新世紀廣場 V Walk, West Kowloon 西九龍 V Walk Feature Story Vol 107 • Q1 2023 • SHKP Quarterly 6