CHINA: SKY CONNECTION/ANWAY


HK ‘double blow’ to retail means work behind the scenes for Sky Connection


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The retail industry in Hong Kong has been hit by two successive economic punches. As Sky Connection Ltd/Anway Ltd faces up to a new trading reality, the company tells Luke Barras- Hill that a resourceful approach to online trading is helping to soften the blows.


T


he past 12 months have been cruel to Hong Kong’s retail sector. Previously unthinkable


pleas for rent cuts from downtown luxury shops facing closure have become a reality, as long-running pro-democracy protests and the the global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has warded off consumers. According to provisional statistics


from Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department,


retail


sales nosedived by 36% in April year-on-year. Hong Kong-based Sky Connection


Ltd/Anway Ltd, a member of NWS Holdings, operates key duty free land border concessions at Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu/Hung Hom railway stations. Sky Connection’s presence at


the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Corporation stations include departure and arrivals shops at Low Wu and Lok Ma Chau. Both are situated on the Hong Kong- Shenzhen (Mainland China) border crossing, while the Hung Hom terminus station is based in Kowloon and also serves the Mainland. In addition, Sky Connection


operates a departure duty free store on the Hong Kong side of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.


of Covid-19.” Adversity presents opportunities


for businesses to pause, reflect and hopefully refine existing structures and procedures and Sky Connection has taken full advantage. Its online pre-order and home


delivery services are helping to generate a steady income stream. In an agile approach, potential


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buyers are identified using the company’s database. The prospects are then contacted by messages and phonecalls to foster customer relationships and build sales. Speaking to TRBusiness towards


July reopening? At the time of writing, the shops at Lok Ma Chau, Lo Wu and Hung Hom remained shut, although there is a suggestion that these could reopen in early July subject to travellers acquiring health certificates. “We are faced with a double blow


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the end of last year, Au spoke fondly about the company’s ‘Free Duty’ WeChat account and how it is being used as vehicle to highlight promotions and offers. That has continued with


aplomb, marrying with digital payment services for added shopper convenience. “We have also upgraded our loyalty


– social unrest & Covid-19 – that hit us hard,” Simon Au, Chief Executive Officer, Sky Connection/Anway tells TRBusiness. “Business on the borders ceased completely since 4 February due to the closure of borders in an effort to control the spread


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programme, Free Duty Rewards Plus,” says Au. “Members can now extend their shopping experiences from borders to downtown by enjoying privileges with our group’s retail arms, namely Chow Tai Fook & K11 Musea.” Separately, Sky Connection has seized the chance during the


Simon Au, Chief Executive Officer, Sky Connection/Anway


near future,” concludes Au. “The world has to live with this. The ‘new normal’ is a way to balance health and the economy.” «


“Members can now extend their shopping experiences from borders to downtown by enjoying privileges with our group’s retail arms, namely Chow Tai Fook & K11 Musea.”


company that produces disinfectant and anti-bacterial products, gave away 50ml sanitisers to students after they finished school in Hong Kong on their way back to Shenzhen via Sky Connection’s shops. “Covid-19 will not disappear in the


shutdown of some of its shops to renovate infrastructure and facilities. “We upgraded our Lok Ma Chau


warehouse as a cigarette hub to service Lo Wu, Hung Hom and the Bridge,” comments Au. The travel retailer also recently


executed a meaningful campaign aimed at cross-border students crossing the Lok Mau Chau border. Sky Connection and Walch, a


Above: School children crossing the border into Shenzhen were provided with hand sanitiser during a recent promotion.


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