Alexis Holm founded the Squarestreet designer watch brand and store in Hong Kong in 2010. Photo: Martin Adolfsson

People

Swedish designer Alexis Holm made a new home in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, China, is a great place to start a small business – provided you can find your lucrative niche. Swedish watch designer Alexis Holm has made a career and a home in his new city.

Alexis Holm founded the Squarestreet design watch brand, and the store with the same name, in 2010. Located, naturally, on Chinese Hong Kong’s Square Street, the store sells Holm’s own designs as well as selected products from other brands. All with a Scandinavian touch. He’s currently fitting out a second shop.

“I came to Hong Kong in 2007, but extended my stay and it became my home. I’ll be able to apply for permanent residency soon,” Holm says.
One of the business advantages of Hong Kong, Holm says, is its proximity to small factories.
“They are flexible and manufacture to high standards,” he says. “China is no longer all about cheap manufacturing – the price and quality are now comparable to Europe.”

Photo: Martin Adolfsson

Strong consumer market

Another advantage is the enterpreneurial climate.
“Setting up a company is easy,” Holm says. “There’s a great deal of freedom to do business and the tax rules are simple and advantageous.”

He adds that there is also a strong consumer market.
“People here are curious about new things. They like to shop and want to have the latest in everything. Five years ago, there was no café culture. Now there are cafés everywhere. There is plenty of potential if you can find the right market niche.

Text: Marcus Joons

Published: March 8, 2018

Business,

China,

Design,

designer,

Fashion,

Hong Kong,

Innovation,

Shopping

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Book trip

From60,000 Round trip

Spend points

Alexis Holm’s favourites in Hong Kong, China

Hiking/shopping in Mong Kok

Force your way through the crowds in the Mong Kok shopping district. Bring water, a map and compass, and plenty of patience. This is one of the best ways to experience the many sides of Hong Kong.

Delstore

This clothing store has an unbeatable range of Japanese brands.

3 Schooner Street, Wan Chai
delstore.co

ABC Kitchen Shop CF7

A fantastic mix of raucous Chinese food court atmosphere and high-class French-Italian cuisine. The suckling pig is outstanding.

Food Market, 1 Queen St, Sheung Wan
abckitchen.com.hk

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Swedish designer Alexis Holm made a new home in Hong Kong