Chickeeduck to close stores in HK, claims 'unprecedented harassment'

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Kids' clothing company Chickeeduck will quit the Hong Kong market in the second half next year as the owner claimed disturbance and unprecedented harassment.

Multiple reports including the South China Morning Post, The Standard, and Hong Kong Free Press quoted Chickeeduck owner Herbert Chow saying that the company suffered from "unprecedented harassment by unidentifiable malicious forces" in the past 18 years. He added that it was not feasible to continue the business' operations in the city due to disruptions in product supply and difficulties in securing leases.

In the report from Hong Kong Free Press, Chow cited the company’s main supplier that they had received "terrible information” about Chow and his company after receiving a stack of “state media reports” on the CEO. The main supplier feared that Chickeeduck would not be able to pay them. To secure the products from Indonesia to Hong Kong, Chow needed to pay in full before the ship was even loaded.

In addition, Chow also said the disturbances and harassments had caused personal risks against Chickeeduck's staff, artists and local collaboration brands. The brand's staff has been stalked and smeared, while the company they have received “hundreds of malicious calls” each month too.

In response, the brand said it would rather "take one step back and exit (the Hong Kong market)", as its stores were not able to renew their leases and were even demanded to end the contract early as well.

On its Facebook, Chickeeduck published a post yesterday in Cantonese which read, "We won't close down the business. We will find a way to survive no matter what." The post was ended was a hashtag "Hong Kong Add Oil" which is pro-democracy chant. Chickeeduck and Chow are known for its pro-democracy political stance. For example, the brand set up a symbolic statue of "Lady Liberty" in the store at D-PARK, Tsuen Wan last year. However, the mall's owner New World Development decided not to renew the contract of the store with the brand.

Another store at Tsuen Wan was cordoned off by the police in May too. Chow said the police warned him not to sell or display any products that violate the national security law. Currently, the brand has five stores across the city, including three selling kids' clothing and two selling lifestyle products. In addition to kids' clothing, the brand also offers bags and clothing for adults.

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