The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today announced the successful conclusion of seven flagship lifestyle and licensing events, which attracted over 95,000 buyers from 134 countries and regions. The events, held concurrently in Hong Kong, included the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle, Fashion InStyle, the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong, the Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS), and the Asian Licensing Conference (ALC).
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, emphasized the events' role in supporting the national 15th Five-Year Plan, positioning Hong Kong as a regional intellectual property trading hub. “The seven flagship events fully showcased Hong Kong's distinctive strengths in lifestyle, cultural and creative design, brand development, and intellectual property,” she said. The fairs provided global buyers with diverse sourcing options and connected exhibitors with international partners, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a trade hub.
According to a survey conducted during the fairs, nearly half (49%) of the 1,541 exhibitors and buyers polled expect overall sales growth in the next one to two years. Respondents identified the greatest operational challenges as global economic fluctuations (47.8%), geopolitical tensions and supply chain issues (37.2%), and protectionist measures (33.7%). Promising sales prospects were seen in ASEAN countries (69%), Taiwan (67.9%), India (66.7%), Korea (65.2%), and Chinese Mainland (63%). Exhibitors are actively exploring markets in Europe (34%), ASEAN (18.3%), North America (16%), the Middle East (13.6%), and Australia (12.8%).
In product trends, cultural gifts (19.7%), sustainable gifts (18.6%), and tech gifts (18.6%) were seen as high-growth areas in the gifts and premiums market. For furniture and home products, designer furniture (27.3%), interior decoration (27.1%), and smart home technology (23%) led. In fashion, designer clothing (42.4%), urban clothing (34.5%), and womenswear (31.9%) were top.
Cross-sector opportunities were evident. Semk Holdings International Limited showcased B.Duck co-branded IP products at the Gifts & Premium Fair, drawing interest from buyers in Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. UAE exhibitor Alpha Art connected with around 40 new clients on the first day, anticipating orders of about US$1 million. The fair also saw three MOUs signed: the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanxi Provincial Committee and Fujian Sub-Council signed agreements with HKTDC to encourage enterprises to “go global,” while the Busan Economic Promotion Agency signed to promote Korean gift products through Hong Kong.
At Fashion InStyle, the NEXT zone featured over 60 new material exhibitors. Textile Library from Hangzhou returned after connecting with a Thai exhibitor last year, this time collaborating with Hong Kong designer brand Ponder.er. Its patented epoch-poly fabrics drew strong interest, yielding concrete cooperation intentions. New High Limited, a local swimwear and sportswear exhibitor, connected with 50 potential buyers, including from Dubai and North Africa, with expected orders of about US$100,000. Kolon Industries FnC from Korea sought sustainable and high-tech materials for its sports collections, while Brazilian fashion brand Amaro established cooperation with exhibitors from India and Chinese Mainland, with an initial order of approximately US$100,000.
Home InStyle introduced innovative materials for homeware. Lotux International Holdings presented biodegradable products from lotus stems and lotus fibre cat litter. Daphne Wan, Sales Director, noted discussions with a houseware company for eco-friendly straws and interest from the Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association for sustainable materials in furniture. allcareAI Limited debuted an infection-prevention mobile toilet, receiving over 20 enquiries from care homes and potential partners globally. TFE Holdings Limited showcased a concrete coffee machine, engaging with over 20 buyers and expecting around 15 orders worth US$1 million.
At the Printing & Packaging Fair, Middle East buyer Hot Packaging LLC sought eco-friendly solutions, connecting with 12 new suppliers and planning trial orders of US$35,000-75,000 for corrugated paper bags and biodegradable products. W.H.Y. Brand Consultancy participated in DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong for the first time, connecting with printers and design firms, with expected business of around US$400,000.
Buyers affirmed the fairs as efficient sourcing platforms. Henry Huang from Canadian buyer Umbra Ltd identified 20 potential suppliers and attended six business matching meetings, expecting orders up to US$100,000. Jaime Gonzalez from Mexico’s Promo Life praised the Reimagine themed floor and planned to spend US$200,000 on keychains and magnets from a Hong Kong exhibitor.
The Hong Kong International Licensing Show facilitated a deal between Hong Kong’s Postgal Workshop and Malaysia’s M&M Creations Holdings, worth over US$200,000. At the Asian Licensing Conference, Maura Regan of Licensing International noted significant growth across property types, with consumers demanding immersive experiences. The events collectively underscored Hong Kong's role in driving cross-sector trade and licensing opportunities globally.
