There’s something special about entering a shop in Hong Kong, smelling the perfume wafting through the air, and getting personalised service from attentive staff.
BUT, there are days when a walk through Causeway Bay’s narrow streets for a makeup refill or bumping elbows in Central in the sticky heat for a new pair of shoes is enough to make you want to turn around and go home. Thank goodness for online shopping, where you can be sitting in your kitchen in your bathrobe or happily adding items to your virtual basket on your phone when you’re on the move. More and more local stores are offering online shopping, and there is a good selection of international sellers that will ship to your Hong Kong address, many for free. We’ve broken it down in two parts to offer you just a tip of the online shopping iceberg, there’s a lot be snapped up until the next pay day rolls around.
Skip straight to Clothing & Accessories
Skip straight to Department Stores
Skip straight to Kids & Babies
You can check out part 2 of our online shopping suggestions (food, beauty and other random bits and bobs) here.
Clothing and Accessories
For those who hate trawling through the racks and facing the horrors of dressing room lighting/mirrors, buy your attire from the comfort of your couch. Try it on when it arrives and if you find it looked better on the model online, just send it back. A breezy way to shop!
Accessorize Jewellery and handbags galore in all sorts of patterns and materials can be shipped from the popular UK store for free on orders over GBP £75, GBP £4.95 otherwise.
ASOS The website often seen on UK office worker’s screens when they should be working, ASOS carries over 850 fashion brands for men and women. Mainly aimed at the young adult market, the online fashion retailer offers standard shipping on clothing, footwear and accessories for free on orders over HKD $100, otherwise HKD $40.
Bonds The family clothing store specialising in casual wear has been outfitting Australians for more than one hundred years. They deliver to Hong Kong free if you spend AUD $100, (AUD $20 if not).
Lands’ End Casual clothing and accessories catering to the entire family can be found at this American retailer. Shipping rates depend on the value of your order and are listed in detail on their website.
lululemon The Vancouver, Canada-born store made yoga gear fashionable outside of the yoga studio. Take a walk through the city where it comes from and you are bound to see a plenty of people sporting its logo from top to bottom. Its popularity has spread worldwide, as has its range of athletic apparel, which grew to include gear for running, dancing and other activities. Free delivery for standard shipping.
Millets Everything you would ever need for camping and outdoor lifestyle wear can be found at UK-based Millets, from tents for a night under the stars or gear for the hiking trails around Hong Kong. Standard delivery will set you back GBP £14.99.
New Look The popular British high street store carries clothing, accessories and shoes (lots and lots of shoes) for men and women, on the lower end of the price scale. Standard shipping is free on orders of GBP £55 or more, otherwise you’ll have to pay a mere GBP £10.
Next Another well-known store on the UK high street, Next delivers free to Hong Kong on orders over HKD $250 or more, which you will easily spend on their fashions for men, women and children. They also have a great range of homeware to decorate your pad.
Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic One site for three popular American brands ranging from budget (an Old Navy t-shirt can set you back USD $5) to the more upscale dresses and suits from Banana Republic. Delivery fees vary based on the number and weight of the items purchased.
Sports Direct This mammoth UK sports retailer has a large selection of clothing, trainers, football boots, backpacks and more for kids, mum and dad. A great place if you’re looking for personalised football shirts of all the major teams. Delivery prices start at GBP £15.99 and be mindful when you’re at the online checkout – they always throw in a Sports Direct giant mug and magazine for GBP £1 to your order, so make sure to remove the item (unless of course you really fancy an oversized mug with the Sports Direct logo on it).
Topshop The shop that sells many a celebrity fashion line (there are often queues outside their stores when the latest “must-have” range comes out) ships to HK addresses for free on orders over GBP £100.
Urban Outfitters Just the place for when you are looking for a new pair of skinny jeans and a pineapple-shaped mug. Think trendy (and sometimes a bit overpriced) for women’s and men’s clothing, home furnishings and novelty gifts. Standard shipping is GBP £12.99 or free if you spend more than GBP £100.
Victoria’s Secret Known for all things lacy and intimate, Victoria’s Secret is a popular spot for women to buy everything from comfy bras and panties to the more exotic corsets and flirty teddies. But they also do pajamas, hoodies, swimwear and their own fragrance and makeup range which you can stock up on for a flat rate delivery fee of USD $15.
Zalora Going strong since its 2012 launch, Zalora bills itself as Asia’s leading online fashion destination. Tons to choose from in top clothing brands for women, men and children with free delivery on purchases over HKD $150 (flat fee of HKD $40 otherwise).
Zara The Spanish brand known worldwide delivers stylish clothing for men, women and children for a very reasonable HKD $40 or free on orders over HKD $400.
Department Stores
Whether you’re looking for décor or furnishings for every room of your house, plus items to line the closet for the whole family, shopping online through these stores’ websites will leave you clicking with excitement.
Harrods The upmarket store from London with the famous green shopping bag offers the finest in men’s and women’s designer fashion, luxury gifts, accessories, food and wine. Deliveries cost GBP £25.00.
IKEA Finally! No more risk of divorce (ever shopped with your partner at IKEA on the weekend?) or scenes of people sleeping on sofas for hours, IKEA now offers online shopping in Hong Kong. However, there’s some fine print of where exactly they will deliver to (there are restrictions for those residing on outlying islands) and some items are not eligible. Shipping rates start at HKD $100 depending on the amount spent.
John Lewis This upmarket, UK-based store carries fashion, homeware, sports and electrical items but not all of them will break the bank. They have lovely gift items for all age ranges when boring vouchers just won’t do. Deliveries are priced from GBP £10.
Lane Crawford Hong Kong’s own luxury store is a great online fashion destination for those who know their Pucci from their Gucci. Gifts for home, clothing and accessories for men and women are delivered free to Lane Crawford Platinum Card holders, free to Lane Crawford Gold Card holders (on single orders totalling HKD $1,000 or more) or HKD $50 for all other orders.
Macy’s It’s one of the biggest department stores in the US and famous for presenting the annual Thanksgiving Day parade in New York. They sell everything you need for family and home, with delivery fees based on the number of items purchased.
Marks and Spencer M&S deliver clothing and home ware to Hong Kong for a flat delivery £15 fee and are a good place to pick up quality bedding, towels and decorative items.
Nordstrom Another of the big US department stores (similar to Macy’s) that has it all under one roof –clothing, homeware, beauty products and more. Like with other US-based online shopping, shipping costs will be based on the amount of the items you are purchasing.
Pottery Barn The place for chic and modern home furnishings if you live in the US, but no worries, they deliver here too. Pillows, rugs, bedding, towels and every type of home décor item you can imagine is available online (some items, like oversized ones, cannot be delivered to Hong Kong). Your delivery rate will be calculated based on the total amount of items purchased.
Selfridges It’s been voted the best department store in the world, and if you’ve ever been inside the sprawling flagship store in London, you’ll see why. But you can still get a taste of what’s on offer via their HK website: upscale clothing and accessories for men and women, gifts, technology products and wonderful food sets can be delivered for HKD $300.
Target The cheery red and white theme of Target stores have been a magnet for budget-conscious shoppers looking for everything from clothing to groceries. Not all items can be sent to Hong Kong, but there is still so much to choose from online. Very popular with parents looking for inexpensive toys and clothing for the kids. Deliveries are based on the amount purchased but look out for discount codes offered on their website from time to time.
Wing On You could call Wing On the Target of Hong Kong (they even have the same colour scheme) as they have all you’ll need for the home. Anyone who needs to furnish a flat from bathroom to kitchen (including food for the cupboards) can easily do so with their range of goods which will come to you free if you spend HKD $800 (HKD $100 otherwise).
Kids and Babies
You’ll have the cutest baby on the block, and your kids will love the selection of toys and books to keep them busy at these shops for the wee ones.
Baby Central Brought to you by two Hong Kong-based mums, Baby Central is a one-stop shop for all things babies (diapers, formulas, toys, clothes) and even items for mothers (maternity wear, skincare, post-partum care). Delivery is free on orders over HKD $300 or HKD $50 for orders below HKD $300.
Babylicious Fairly new to the Hong Kong baby store scene is Babylicious with everything mums and dads need for new additions to the household. Free delivery when you spend HKD $750 or more, HKD $50 charge otherwise.
Bebe Tigre This design concept store sells clothing and essentials for newborns to six-year-olds with “a touch of nostalgic and retro feeling”. Free delivery for purchases over HK $600 or HK $100 for purchases under HK $600.
Bumps to Babes Offering a large variety of maternity, baby and children’s ranges from around the world including names like Mamas & Papas, Bugaboo and Tommee Tippee, they can ship larger items to your door starting at HKD $150.
Dotty Bee This is the ultimate place to shop for baby gifts with a twist: they turn a regular flower bouquet into something completely different by adding baby clothing into the mix. Their bestselling bouquet contains a winding cloth, hat, bodysuits, socks, a bib and flowers fashioned together for a beautifully unique gift. Then there’s the baby sock cupcakes which you need to see for yourself online. Adorable. Deliveries are free on orders over HKD $250.
Hip Little Bubba Wee organic t-shirts emblazoned with “Cheeky Monkey” and pajama sets that will transform your little one into cute bumble bees will delight as you scroll through the online store. There’s also a wide range of toys, prints for the nursery, baby carriers and more. Delivery is free if you spend HKD $800 or more, otherwise a flat rate of HKD $120 will be charged.
Le Petit Society What could be cuter than matching tees for the whole family? Le Petit Society’s garments are designed and produced in Asia and range from quirky shorts covered in double decker buses to rainbow tees for mum, dad and baby. They also dabble in nursery décor, toys and books. Orders over HKD $600 will be delivered free, otherwise there is a flat fee of HKD $40.
Marks and Spencer M&S have a range of fashionable, high quality kid’s clothing and online prices are considerably cheaper than the in-store prices here in Hong Kong. They deliver to Hong Kong for a GBP £15 delivery fee.
Petit Bazaar This local shop for tots specialises in “carefully curated” items from Europe to Hong Kong. They have a wide collection of clothing, toys, furniture and other accessories for kids. Shipping is free on orders over HKD $600 or a delivery fee of HKD $60 will be applied.
RETYKLE RETYKLE takes the buying and re-selling of luxury baby and kids’ clothing and makes it every bit as convenient and stylish as buying new. Browse a carefully curated edit of gently used clothing from the world’s top children’s wear brands, including Bonpoint, Jacadi, Chloé, Moncler, Ralph Lauren and many more. Quality and authenticity are carefully inspected and guaranteed.
Tiny Footprints A great selection of products for baby and mum including bath and skincare goodies, books, clothing and bigger items like strollers and high chairs. Their organic food offerings are also worth a look. Free delivery for purchases over HKD $800 or HKD $100 if you spend below that.
Toys “R” Us/Babies “R” Us No real description is needed here – they sells toys and lots of them, while Babies “R” Us has everything you would need for that little bundle of joy like nappies and car seats. Delivery starts at HKD $35 or is free if you spend over HKD $2,500, which is more than most places, but sometimes they have web specials where you can qualify for free delivery with a lesser minimum spend.
Nancy Matos is a lifestyle and culture writer from Vancouver, Canada currently based in Hong Kong and London.
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