Spotlight takes a shine to HK (hktdc.com)


	(Left) Spotlight's Director & Co-owner, Morry Fraid, with InvestHK's Simon Galpin at an event to mark the announcement of Spotlight's new venture in Hong Kong

Spotlight, one of the largest chains of fabric, craft and home interiors superstores, announced the opening of a 40,000 square feet store in Hong Kong in early 2007.

This will be the Australian-based company's first investment in Greater China which will be followed by a mid-term plan to open more stores in the region.

Located in the MegaBox mall of Enterprise Square Five in Kowloon Bay, the new Spotlight store will stock Hong Kong's largest range of fabrics, handicrafts and home interior products for Do-It-Yourself customers.

"We wanted to bring Spotlight to Hong Kong, as you have one of the best and most dynamic markets in the world," said the Director and co-owner of Spotlight, Morry Fraid. "Targeted to the local Hong Kong market, the Spotlight MegaBox store will bring a new kind of shopping experience to local consumers. We are absolutely confident about the substantial investment we are making here. You have an exciting, fast paced economy, and our products are well suited to your market."

The new store will comprise six broad categories, each of which is a mega unit by itself within the store. They include: Home Furnishings, Manchester (bed linen), Home Decor, Dress and Fashion fabrics, Craft, and Spartys (party supplies).

Important first step

Mr Fraid also pointed out that the set up in Hong Kong represents an important step towards entering the Greater China market. The company plans to open up to six stores in Hong Kong, and will look into further opportunities in Mainland China and Taiwan.

The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Simon Galpin, said Spotlight's choice is a vote of confidence in Hong Kong's consumer market, and also is a "recognition of Hong Kong's strategic position as a gateway to the mainland of China and other markets in the region."

The first Spotlight store was opened in 1973 in Melbourne, Australia. Today, there are 105 Spotlight stores throughout Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, occupying over three million square feet of retail space.