Upmarket Italian luxury group Giorgio Armani is opening a megastore in Hong Kong next October, the second in the world after its megastore in Milan's Via Manzoni.

President and chief executive officer of the Armani Group Giorgio Armani explained why the SAR was selected for the 2,700 square metre (29,000 square feet) megastore. "Hong Kong is one of the most progressive and cosmopolitan cities in the world. With the opening of the megastore, we will achieve a level of distribution and service with our products and lifestyle that is appropriate to this market."

Armani set up its Asian headquarters in the SAR early this year. President of Giorgio Armani Hong Kong Ltd Jakob Meier said that Hong Kong has been and will remain an important retail centre. "There is a large base of well-dressed, affluent consumers in Hong Kong and at the same time, tourists from all over Asia continue to pass through Hong Kong."

The three-level megastore will be located in Central in the heart of Hong Kong's financial district. The new store is 100 per cent Armani owned, and will have a total lifestyle concept. The top-of-the-line Giorgio Armani boutique and the Emporio Armani boutique for young professionals will be housed together with a cafe, flower shop and a cosmetics boutique under one roof. Italian architects Claudio Silvestrin and Massimiliano Fuksas promise a distinct Armani touch.

This fall, three Armani Collezioni boutiques will open in upscale department store Lane Crawford and a new Emporio Armani boutique will open in Causeway Bay.